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OFFICIAL REPORT

OF THE

BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA.

C .$.&> *m .

PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF CONGRESS.

P [MOND

B. V. fJC FRINTER.

••1.

THE FLOWERS COLLECTION i - „

MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT.

Richmond, Va., May 19, 1S64.

To the Senate and House of Representatives :

I herewith transmit, for your information, a communication from
the Secretary of War, covering a copy of tho reports of General
Bragg and his subordinate commanders, of the battle of Chicka-
niauga.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

Confederate States of America, War Department, )
Richmond, Va., May 19, 1864. \

To His Excellency the President :

Sir : I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of
Congress, copies of the reports of General Bragg and his subordinate
commanders, of the battle of Chickamauga.

Verv respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

315953

BATTLE OF CHICKAMAITGA.

REPORT OF GENERAL BRAGG.

Warm Springs, Georgia, December 2$, 1S63.

General S. CoorER,

Adjutant General C. S. A., Richmond, Va :

Sir : Most of the subordinate reports, cf the operations of our
troops at the battle of Chickamauga, having been received, are here-
with forwarded, and for tho better understanding of tho movements
preceding and following that important event the following narrative
is submitted :

On the 20th of August it was ascertained certainly that the Fede-
ral army from Middle Tennessee, under General Roaencranz, had
crossed the mountains to Stevenson and Bridgeport. J lis force of
effective infantry and artillery amounted to fully seventy thousand,
divided into four corps. About th«? same time, General Burnside ad-
vanced from Kentucky towards Kndxville, East Tennessee, with a
force estimated by the General commanding that department at over
25,000. In view of the -great superiority of number;; brought against
him, General Buckner concluded to evacuate Knoxville, and, with «.
force of about live thousand infantry and artillery and his cavalry,
took position in the vicinity of Loudon. T.wo brigades of his com-
mand, Frazicr's, at Cumberland Gap, and Jackson's, in Northeast
Tennessee, were thus severed from us. The enemy having alreadv
obtained a lodgment in East Tennessee by another route, the con-
tinued occupation of Cumberland Gap became very hazardous to tho
garrison and comparatively unimportant to us. Its evacuation was
accordingly ordered, but on tho appeal of its .commander, stating his
resources and ability for defence, favorably endorsed by Major Gen-
eral Buckner, the orders were suspended on the 31st August. Th>
main body of our army was er.caaaped near Chattanooga, whilst the

315953

cavalry force, much reduced and enfeebled by long service on short
rations, was recruiting in the vicinity of Home, Georgia. Immediately
after crossing the mountains to the Tennessee, the enemy threw a corps
by way of Sequatchie valley to strike the rear of General Buckner's
command, whilst Burnside occupied him in front. One division already
ordered to his assistance proving insufficient to meet the force concen-
trating on him, Buckner was directed to withdraw to the Hiawassee with
his infantry, artillery and supplies, and to hold his cavalry in front to
check the enemy's advance. As soon as this change was made, the corps
threatening his rear was withdrawn, and the enemy commenced a move-
ment in force against our left and rear. On the last of August it became
inown that he had crossed his, main force over the Tennessee river, at
and near Carpenter's ferry, the most accessible point from Stevenson.
!>y a direct route he was now as near our main depot of supplies as
we were, and our whole line of communication was exposed, whilst
his was partially secured by mountains and the river. By the timely
.arrival of two small divisions from Mississippi our effective force,
exclusive of cavalry, was now a little over thirty-five thousand, with
which it was determined to striko on the first favorable opportunity.
Closely watched by our cavalry, which had been brought forward, it was
?oon ascertained that the enemy's general movement was towards our
left and rear in the direction of Dalton and Rome, keeping Lookout
mountain between us. The nature of the country and the want of
supplies in it, with the presence of Burnside's force on our right,
rendered a movement on the enemy's rear with our inferior force ex-
tremely hazardous, if not impracticable. It was, therefore, deter-
mined to meet him in front whenever he should emerge from the
mountain gorges. To do this and hold Chattanooga was impossible,
without such a division of our small force as to endanger both parts.
Accordingly our troops were put in position on the 7th and 8th of
.September, and took position from Lee and Gordon's mill to Lafayette,
<>n the road leading south from Chattanooga and fronting the east
slope of Lookout mountain. The forces on the Hiawassee and at
Chickamauga station took the route by Ringgold. A small cavalry
force was left in observation at Chattanooga, and a brigade of infant-
ry, strongly supported by cavalry, was left at Ringgold to hold the
railroad and protect it from raids

As soon as our movement was known to the enemy, his corps near-
est Chattanooga, and which had been threatening Buckner's rear, was
thrown into that place, and shortly thereafter, commenced to move on
our rear by the two roads to Lafayette and Ringgold. Two other
corps were now in Will's valley, one nearly opposite the head of Mc-
Lemore's cove, a valley formed by Lookout mountain and a spur of
the main ridge called Pigeon mountain, and the other at or near Col-
onel Winston's, opposite Alpine.

During the 9th, it was ascertained that a column, estimated at from
four thousand to eight thousand, had crossed Lookout mountain into
the cove by way of Stevens' and Cooper's gaps. Thrown off hi3
guard by our rapid movement, apparently in retreat, when, in reality,
'.vo had concentrated opposite his centre, and deceived by tne informa-

tion from deserters and others sent into Lis lines, the enemy pressed
on his columns to intercept us, and thus exposed himself in detail.

Major General Hindraan received verbal Instructions on the 9th to
prepare his division to move against this force, and was informed that
another division from Lieutenant General Hill's command, at La-
fayette, would join him. That evening the following written orders
were issued to Generals Hindman and Hill : M

Headquarters Army Tennessee* )

Lee and Gordons Mills, 1 1 3-4 P. M., Sept. 9,. 1863. $

Major General Hindman,

Commanding Division : •

General: You will move with your division immediately to Davis'
cross roads, on the road from Lafayette to Stevens' gap. At this
point you will put yourself in communication with the column of
General Hill, ordered to move to the same point,* and take command
of the forces, or report to the officer commanding Hill's column, ac-
cording to rank. If in command, you will move upon the enemy, re-
ported to be four thousand or five thousand strong, encamped at the
foot of Lookout mountain, at Stevens' gap. Another column of the
enemy is reported to be at Cooper's gap — number not known.
I am, General, etc.,

Kinloch Falconer,
Assistant Adjutant General,

Headquarters Army Tennessee, )
Ue and Gordons Mill, 11 3-4, P. M., Sept." 9, 1863. S

Lieutenant General Hill,

Commanding Corps :

General: I enclose orders given to General Hindman. General
Bragg directs that you send or take, as your judgment dictates,
Cleburne's division to unite with General Hindraan, at Davis' cross
roads to-morrow morning. Hindman starts at twelve o'clock to-night,
and he has thirteen miles to make. The commander of the column,
thus united, will move upon the enemy encamped at the foot of Stevens'
uap, said to be four thousand or five thousand. If unforeseen circum-
stances should prevent your movement notify Hindman. A cavalry
force should accompany your coVumn. Hindman has none. Open
communication with Hindman with your cavalry in advance of the
■unction. He marches on the road from Dr. Anderson's to Davis'
cross roads, *

I am, General, etc.,

Kinloch Falconer,
Assistant Adjutant General.

On the receipt of his order, during the night, General Hill replied
th-at the movement required by him was impracticable, as General
Cleburne was sick, and both tho gaps, Dug and Catlett's, had been

blocked by felling timber, which would require twenty-four hour3 for
its removal.

Not to lose this favorable opportunity, Hindman, by a prompt
movement, being already in position, the following orders were issued
at eight, A. M., on the 10th, for Major General Buckner to move with
his two divisions and report to Hindman.

Headquarters Armv Tennessf.h:. )

Lee and Gordon s Mill, 8, A. M. \

September 10, 18G3. )

Major General Buckner, Anderson's :

General : I enclose orders issued Ia%l night to Generals Hill and
Ilindman. General Hill has found it impossible to carry out the part
assigned to Cleburne's division. The General commanding desires
that you will execute, without delay, the order issued to General Hill.
You can move to Davis' cross-roads by the direct road, from your pre-
sent position at Anderson's, along which General Hindman has passed.
1 am, General, etc.,

George W. Brest,
Assistant Adjutant General.

And both Ilindman and Hill were notified. Ilindman had halted
his division at Morgan's, some three or four miles from Davis' cross-
roads, in thecove, and at this point Buckncr joined him, during the
afternoon of the 10th. Reports fully containing previous information
in regard to the position of the enemy's forces, were received during the
10th, and it became certain that he was moving his three columns to
form a junction upDn us, at or near Lafayette. The corps near Col-
onel Winston's, moved on the mountain .towards Alpine, a point
twenty miles south of us. The one opposite the cove continued its
movement, and threw forward its advance to Davis' cross-roads, and
Crittenden moved from Chattanooga on the roads to Ringgold and Lee
and Gordon's mills. To strike these isolated commands in succession
was our obvious policy. To secure more prompt and decided action
in the movement ordered against the enemy's centre, my headquarters
were removed to Lafayette, where I arrived about half-past eleven,
P. M , on the 10th, and Lieutenant General Tolk was ordered forward
with his remaining division to Anderson's, so as to cover Hindman's
rear during the operations in the cove. At Lafayette, I met Major
Nocquet, engineer officer on General Buekners staff, sent by Gene-
ral'IIindman, alter a junction of their commands, to confer with me,
and sug<*fcst a change in the plan of operations. After hearing the
reports of this officer, and obtaining from the active and energetic
cavalry commander in front of our position, Brigadier General Mar-
tin the latest information of the enemy's movements and position, I
verbally directed the Major to return to General Hindman and say
that ray plans could not be changed, and that he would carry out his
orders. At the same time the following written orders were sent to
tho General by courier:

Headquarters Army Tennessee, )
Lafayette, Gn., 12, P. M., Sept. 10, 186S. {
Major General Hindman, Commanding, etc. :

General: Headquarters are here, and the following is the inforrna-
tion : •

Crittenden's corps is advancing on us from Chattanooga. A large
force from the south has advanced to within seven miles of this point.
Folk is left at Anderson's to cover your rear. General jfragg orders
you to attack and force your way through the enemy to this point at
the earliest hour you can see him in the morning. Cleburne will at-
tack in front the moment your guns are h^ard.

I am, General, etc.,

George W. Brent,

Assistant Adjutant General.

Orders were also given for Walker's reserve corps to -move promptly
and join Cleburne's division at Dug Gap, to unite in the attack. At
the same time Cleburne was directed to remove all obstructions in the
road in his front, which was promptly done, and by daylight he was
ready to move. The obstructions ui Catlett's Gap were also ordered
to be removed, to clear the road in llindman's rear. Breckinridge's
division, Hill's corps was kept in position south of Lafayette to check
any movement the enemy might make from that direction.

At daylight, 1 proceeded to join Cleburne at Dug Gap, and found
him waiting the opening of llindman's guns to move on the enemy's
flank and rear. Most of the day was spent in this position, waiting
in great anxiety for the attack by llindman's column. Several cou-
riers and two staff officers were dispatched at different times, urging
him to move with promptness and vi^or. About the middle of the
afternoon, the first gun was heard, when the advance of Cleburne's
division discovered the enemy had taken advantage of our delay and
retreated to the mountain passes. The enemy now discovered his er-
ror, and commenced to repair it by withjli awing his corps frjom the
direction of Alpine, to uni.e with the one near McLeuiore's cove.

hilst that was gradually extended towards Lee and Gordon's mills.

ur movement having th;:s failed in its justly anticipated results, it
was determined to turn upon the third corps of the enemy, approach-
ing us from the direction <.u Chattanooga. The forces were accord-
ingly withdrawn to Lafayette, and folk's and Walker's corps were
moved immediately in the direction of Lee and Gordon's railh. The
one corps of the enemy in this direction was known to be divided —
one division having been sent to ltinggold. Upon learning the dis-
positions of the enemy from our cavalry commander in thttp direction
on tile afternoon of the 12th, Lieutenant General Polk, cemmandiag
the advance forces, was directed in the following note :

ITeapquarters Army Tennessee, >
Lafayette, Ga., 6, P. 31., September 12. }
Lieutenant General Polk :

General: I enclose you a dispatch from General Pegrac This

presents you a fine opportunity of striking Crittenden in detail, and
I hope you will avail yourself of it at daylight to-morrow. This di-
vision crushed, and the others are yours. We can then turn on tho
force in the cove. Wheeler's cavalry will move on Wilder so as to
cover your right. I shall be delighted to hear of yonr success.
Very truly yours,

Braxton Bragg.

To sttacfrat daylight on the 13th. Upon further information the
order was renewed in two notes, at later hours of the same day, as
follows :

Headquarters Army Tennessee,
Lafaydte, Ga , 6, P. ill, September 12, 18C3.

Lieutenant General Polk,

Commanding Corps :

General: I enclose you a dispatch marked " A," and I now give
ycu the orders of the commanding General, viz: to attack at day-
dawn to-morrow the infantry cqjumn reported in said dispatch at
three Quarters of a mile beyond Peavine church on the road to Giays-
ville from Lafayette.

I am, General, etc.,

George W. Brent,

Assistant Adjutant General,

Headquarters Apmy Tennessee, )
Lafayette, Ga., September 12, 1S63. )

Lieutenant General Polk,

Commanding Corps :
General: The enemy is approaching from the south, and it is
highly important that your attack in the morning should be quick and
decided- Let no time be lost.

I am General, etc.,

George W. Brent,

Assistant Adjvtant General.

At eleven, P. M., a dispatch was received irom the General, stating
that he had taken a strong position for defence, and requesting that
lie should be heavily reinforced. He was promptly ordered not to
defer his attack his force being already numerically superior to the
enemy, and was reminded that his success depended upon the prompt*
i et>8 and rapidity of his movements. He was further informt 1 ihat
Buckner's corps would be moved within supporting distance the next
morning.

Early on the 13th I proceeded to the front, ahead of Buckner's
command, to find that no advance had been made on the enemy,
and that his forces had formed a junction and recrossed the Chicka-
maugc. Again disappointed, immediate measures were taken to place
our trains and limited supplies in safe positions, when all our forces

•

were concentrated along the Chickamauga, threatening the enemy in
front. Mijor General Wheeler, -with two divisions of cavalry, occu-
pied the positions on the extreme left, vacated by Hill's corps, and
was directed to press the enemy in McLemore's cove, to divert hi»at-
tention from our real movement. Brigadier General Forrest, with
his own and Pegram's division of cavalry, covered the movement on
our front and right. Brigadier General B. R. Johnson, whose brigade
had been at Ringgold holding the railroad, was moved towards Reed's
bridge, wiiich brought him on the extreme right of the line. Walker's
corps formed on his left, opposite Alexander's bridge Buekner's
next, near Lcdford's ford. Balk's opposite Lee and Gordon's mills, and
Hill's on the extreme left. With Johnston moved two brigades, just
arrived from Mississippi, and three of Longstreet's corps, all without
artillery and transportation.

The following orders were issued on the night of the 17th for the
forces to cross the Chickamauga, commencing the movement at six
o'clock, A. M., on the 18th, by the extreme right, at Reed's bridge.

Headquarters Army Tenne'ssee, >
In the Field, Letts Tan-yard, September 18, 1863. {,

Circular.

I. Johnston's column, (Hood's,) on crossing at or near rXeed'&
bridge, will turn to the left by the most practicable route, and sweep.
up the Chickamauga towards Lee and Gordon's mills.

II. Walker, crossing at Alexander's bridge, will unite in this move,
and push vigorously on the enemy's flank and rear in the same direc-
tion.

III. Buckner, crossing at Bedford's ford, will join in the move-
ment to the left and press the enemy up the stream from Polk'b front
ut Lee and Gordon's mills.

IV. Polk will press his forces to the front of Lee and Gordon's
mills, and if met by too much resistance to cross will bear 1 1 the
right and cross at Dalton's ford, or at Ledfords, as may be necessary,
Hi^yoin the attack wherever the enemy may be.

V. Hill will cover our left flank from an advance of the enemy from
the cove, and. by pressing the cavalry in his front, ascertain if the
enemy is reinforcing at Lee and Gordon's mills, in which event he
will attack them in flank.

VI. Wheeler's cavalry will hold the gap in Pigeon Mountain, and
cover our rear and left and bring up the stragglers.

VII. All teams, etc., not with troops, should go towards Ringgold
and Dalton, Georgia, beyond Taylor's ridge. All cooking should bo
done at the trains ; rations, when cooked, will be forwarded to the

troops.

VIII. The above movements will be executed with the utmost
promptness and persistence.

By command of General Bragg.

George W. Brent,

Assistant Adjutant General.

The resistance offered by the f neroy's cavalry and the difficulties
arising from the bad and narrow country roads, caused unexpected
delays in the execution of these movements. Though the commander
of *the right column was several times urged to press forward, his
'crossing was not effected until late in the afternoon. At thistime,
Major General Hood, of Longstrect's corps, arrived and assumed com-
mand of the column, Brigadier General Johnston resuming his im-
provised division of three brigades. Alexander's bridge was hotly
contested and finally broken up by the enemy, just as General Walker
secured possession. He moved down stream, however, a short distance
and crossed, as directed, at Byron's ford, and thus secured a junction-
with Hood after night.

'lie movement was resumed at daylight en the 19th, and Buckner's
corps, with Cheatham's division, of Polk's, had crossed and formed
•when a brisk engagement commenced with our cavalry under Forrest
on the extreme. right. About nine o'clock, a brigade from Walker
"was oideied to Forrest's support, and soon after Walker was ordered to
attack with his vholc force. Our line was now formed with Buckner's
left resting on the Chickamauga, about one mile below Lee and Gor-
don's mills. On his right came Hood with his own and Johnston's
divisions, with Walker on the extreme right, Cheatham's division be-
ing in reserve, the general direction being a little east of noith.
The attack ordered by our right was made by General Walker in his
usual gallant style, and soon developed a largely superior force op-
posed. He drove them handsomely, however, and captured several
batteries of artillery in most gallant charges. Before Cheatham's
division, ordered to his support, could reach him he had been pressed
back to his first position by the extended lines of the enemy assailing
him on both flanks The two commands united were soon enabled to
force the enemy back again, and recover our advantage, though we
were yet greatly outnumbered. These movements on our right were
in a direction to leave an opening in our line between Cheatham and
Hood. Stewart's division, forming Buckner's second line, was thrown
to the right to fill this, and it soon became hotly engaged as did Hood's
whole front. The enemy, whose left was at Lee and Gordon's ifcills
when our movement commrnced, had rapidly transferred forces from
his extreme right, changing his entire line, and seemed disposed to
dispute, with all his ability, our effort to gain the main road to Chat-
tanooga in his rear. Lieutenant General Polk was ordered to move
lis remaining division across at the nearest ford, and to assume the
command in person on cur right. Hill's corps' was also ordered to
cross below Lee and Gordon's mills and join the lino on the right.

Whilst these movements were being made our right and centre were
heavily and almost constantly engaged. Stewart by a vigorous assault
broke the enemy's centra, and penetrated far into his lines, but was
obliged to retire for want of sufficient force to meet the heavy enfilade
fire which he encountered from the right. Hood, later engaged, ad-
vanced from the first fire, and continued to drive the force in his front
until night. Cleburne's division, of Hill's corps, which first reached
the right, was ordered to attack immediately, in conjunction with the

force already engaged. This veteran command, under its gallant chief,
moved to its work after sunset, taking the enemy completely by sur-
prise, driving him in great disorder for nearly a mile, and inflicting
a very heavy loss. jNigbt found us masters of the ground, after a
series of very obstinate contests with largely superior numbers.

From captured prisoners and others we learned with certainty that
we had encountered the enemy's whole force which had been moving
day and night since they first ascertained the direction of our march.
Orders had been given for the rapid march to the field of all reinforce-
ments arriving by railroad, and three additional brigades from this
source joined us early next morning. The remaining forces on our
extreme left, east of the Chickamauga, had been ordered up early in
the afternoon, but reached the field too late to pirticipate in the en-
gagement of that day. They were orderoi into line on their arrival,
and disposed fur a renewal of the action eisAj the ;iext morning.
Information was received frpm Lieutenant General Lo$g3treet of his
arrival at Ringgold and departure for the field. Five small brigades
of his corps, about five thousand effective infantry, no artillery,
reached us in time to participate in the action, three of them on the'
19th, and two more on the 2i>th.

Upon the close of the engagement on the evening of the 19th, the
proper commanders were summoned to my camp fire, and there re-
ceived specific information an 1 instructions touching the disposition
of the troops, and for the operations of the next morning. .The whole
force was divided for the next morning in'o two commands and as-
signed to the two senior Lieutenant Generals, Longstreet and Polk.
The former to the left where all his own troops were stationed, the
latter continuing his command of the light. Lieutenant General
Longstreet reached my headquarters about eleven, P. M., and imme-
diately received his instructions. After a few hours rest at my camp
.fire, he moved at daylight to his line just in front of my position.
Lieutenant General Polk was ordered to assail the enemy on our ex-
treme right at day-dawn on the 20th, and to take up the attack in suc-
cession rapidty to the left. The left wing was to await the attack by '
the right, take it promptly when made, and the whole line was then
to be pushed vigorously and persistently against the enemy through-
out its extent. Before the dawn of day myself and staff were ready
for the saddle, occupying a position immediately in rear of and acces-
sible to all parts of the line. With increasing anxiety and disap-
pointment 1 waited until after sunrise without hearing a gun, and at
length dispatched a staff officer to Lieutenant General Polk to ascer-
tain the cause of the delay, and urge him to a prompt and speedy
movement. This officer not finding the general with his troops, and
learning where he had spent the night, proceeded across Alexander's
bridge to the east side of the Chickamauga and there delivered my
message. Proceeding in person to the right wing, I found the troops
not even prepared for the movement. Messengers were immediately
dispatched for Lieutenant General Polk, and he shortly after joined
ine. My orders were renewed, and the General was urged to their
prompt execution, the more important as the car was saluted through-

out the night with the sounds of the axe and fallen timber, as the
enemy industriously labored to strengthen his position by hastily con-
structed barricades and breastworks. A reconnoissance made in the
front of our extreme right, during this delay, crossed the main ro;id
to Chattanooga, and proved the important fact that this greatly desired
position was open to our possession.

The reasons assigned for this unfortunate delay by the wing com-
mander appear in part in the reports of his subordinates. It is suffi-
cient to say they are entirely^atisfactory. It also appears from these
reports that when the action was opened on the right, about ten
o'clock, A- M., the troops were moved to the assault in detail and by
detachments, unsupported until nearly. all parts of the right wing
were in turn repulsed with heavy loss. Our troops were led with the
greatest gallantry, and exhibited great coolness, bravery and heroic
devotion. In mo instance did they fail, when called on, to rally and
return to the •harge. But though invariably driving the enemy,
with great slaughter, at the points assailed, they were compelled in
turn to yield to the greatly superior numbers constantly brought
against them. The attack on the left, promptly made as ordered, met
with less resistance, much of the enemy's strength haing been trans-
ferred to our right, and was successfully and vigorously followed tip.
About two, P. M., passing along the line to our left, I found we had
been checked in our progress by encountering a strong position,
strengthened by works and obstinately defended. Unable to afford
assistance from any other part of the field, written orders were
immediately dispatched to Lieutenant General Polk to again assault
the enemy in his front with his whole force, and to persist until he
should dislodge him from his position. Directing the operations on
our left to be continued, I moved again to the right and soon dis-
patched a staff officer to General Polk, urging a prompt and vigor-
ous execution of my written orders. About four, P. M., this general
assault was made and the attack was continued from right to left until
.the enemy gave way at different points, and, finally, about dark,
yielded us his line. The contest was severe, but the iropetgotis
charge of our troops could not be resisted when tkey were brought to
bear in full force, even where the enemy possessed all the advantage of
position and breastworks. The troops were halted, by their respective
commanders, when the darkness of the night and the density of the
forest rendered further movements uncertain and< dangerous, and the
army bivouacked on the ground it had so gallantly won. Both flanks
having advanced more rapidly than the centre, they were found con-
fronting each other in lines nearly parallel and within artillery range.
Any advance by them, especially at night, over ground so thickly
wooded, might have resulted in the most serious consequences.

The enemy, though driven from his lines, still confronted us, and
•desultory firing was heard until eight, P. M. Other noises, indicat-
ing movements and dispositions for the morrow, continued until a
late hour at night.

During the operations bv the main forces, on the 19th and 20th,
the cavalry, on the flanks, was actively and usefully employed, hold-

ing the enemy in observation and threatening or assailing tim ag
occasion offered. From the report of Major General Wheeler, com-
manding on the left, it will be seen what important service was ren-
dered, both on the 20th and 21st, by his command, especially in the
capture of prisoners and property, and in the dispersion of the enemy's
cavalry. Brigadier General Forrest's report will show equally gallant
and valuable services by his command on our right.

Exhausted by two days' battle, with very limited supply of provis-
ions, and almost destitute of water, some time in daylight was abso-
lutely essential for our troops to supply these necessaries and replenish
their ammunition before renewingtthe contest. Availing myself of
this necessary delay to inspect and readjust my lines, 1 moved, as
soon as daylight served, on the 21st. On my arrival, about sunrise,
.near Lieutenant General Polk's bivouac, I met the ever vigilant
General Liddell, commanding a division in our front line, who was
awaiting the General to report that his pickets this merning discov-
ered the enemy had retreated during the night from his immediate
front. Instructions were promptly given to push forward our whole
line of skirmishers to the front, and I moved to the left and extended
these orders. All the cavalry at hand, including my personal guard,
were ordered to the front. Members of my staff, in passing through
the lines of our left wing with their escort, were warned of danger,
and told that they were entering on the neutral ground between us and
the enemy. But this proved to be an error, and our cavalry soon
came upon the enemy's rear guard, where the main road passes
through Missionary ridge. He had availed himself of the night to
withdraw from our front, and his main body was already in position
within his lines at Chattanooga. Any immediate pursuit by our in-
fantry and artillery would have J?een fruitless, a3 it was not deemed
practicable, with our weak and exhausted forces, to assail the enemy,
now more than double our numbers, behind his "entrenchments.
Though we had defeated him and driven him from the field with heavy
loss in men, arms and artillery^ it had only been done by heavy
sacrifices, in repeated, persistent and most gallant assault* upon supe- ■
rior numbers strongly posted and protected.

The conduct of our troops was excellent throughout the prolonged
contest. Often repulsed where success seemed impossible, they never
failed to rally and return to the charge, until the last combined and de-
termined effort, in which the spirit of every man seemed to conspire for
success, was crowned with the reward due to such gallantry in a just
cause.

Our loss was in proportion to the prolonged and obstinate struggle.
Two-fifths of our gallant troops had fallen, and" the number of general
and staff officers stricken down will best show how these troops were led.
M:ijor General Hood, the model soldier and inspiring leader, fell after
contributing largely to our success, and has suffered the irreparable
loss of a leg. That his valuable life should be spared to us is, how-
ever, a source of thankfulness and gratitude. Major General Hindman,
highly distinguished for gallantry and good conduct, received a severe
soutusion, but persisted in keeping the saddle until ho witnessed the

success in which his command largely participated. Brigadier Gee
erals B. II. Helm, Preston Smith and James Deshla died upon the
field in the heroic discharge of duty. They were true patriots and
gall ;nt soldiers, and worthy of tho high reputation they enjoyed.
Brigadier Generals Adams, Gregg and Me N air fell severely wounded
whilst gallantly leading their commands in the thickest ol the fight.
It is gratifying to know they are convalescing and will be again found
at the post of duty and danger.

Judging from appearances on the field, the enemy's losses must have
exceeded our own largely, hut we have no means of correctly esti-
mating them. We captured over eight thousand prisoners, fifty-one
pieces of artillery, fifteen thousand stand of small arms, and quanti-
ties of ammunition, with wagons, ambulances and teams, medicines, and
hospital .-tores in large quantities. The accompanying maps, one, two,
three and four, based on accurate surveys, will afford the necessary
information for the correct understanding of the movements of both
armies. Tho positions of the troops on the field are given mostly
from the Bk etches of their respective commanders. The times selected
for indication were the morning of the 19 th, when the action com-
menced— the morning of the lUth and the evening of tho 21>th, at the
close of the operations. There has been much delay in rendering
eouie of the subordinate reports, and none have been received from
Lieutenant Generals Polk and Hill, and only two from brigades in
Longstrcet'a corps. The absence of those has caused a delay in
rnaktngup my own, anil induced me to defer forwarding the others,
hoping that all ought be submitted together.

For tho many deeds of daring and acts of heroic devotion exhibited
on this field reference is made to the subordinate reports. It will be
remarked that the private soldier is_eminently distinguished, as he
always will be, in an army where the rank and file is made up of the
best citizens of the country.

The medical officers, both in the field and in the hospitals, earned
the lasting gra'titude of the soldier and deserve the highest commen-
dation, 'the great number of wounded thrown suddenly upon their
bands taxed every energy and every faculty. With means greatly
inadequate, especially in transportation, they soon reduced confusion
into order, and, by assiduity and skill, afforded to the gallant suf-
ferers that temporal relief for which they might look in vain to any
other source.' In this connection, it is a pleasing duty to acknowledge
'in grateful terms the deep indebtedness of the army to the Hospital
Relief Associations, which so promptly and so generousl}1, pressed
forward their much needed assistance. Under the admirable manage-
ment of their officers in»Atlanta, we were soon furnished with every
accessary and comfort, and stores continued to arrive until notice w>is
given that our wants were all supplied The officers of my staff, per-
sonal and general, served me on this field and on the arduous marches,
proceeding with their usual zeal, intelligence and gallantry.

The whole cavalry force having been despatched to press the enemy
and cut off detachments, orders were given for the army to move to a

point near the railroad and convenient to water, still interposing
between the enemy and our large number of wounded, our trophies,
and our wounded prisoners, whose removal from the field occupied
many days.

Our supplies of all kinds were greatly reduced, the railroad having
been constantly occupied in transporting troop-?, prisoners, and our
wounded, and the bridges having been destroyed to a point two miles
south of Ringgold. These supplies were ordered to he replenished, and
as soon as it was seen that we could be subsisted, the army was moved
forward to seize and hold the only communication the enemy had with
his supplies in the rear. His important road, and the shortest by
half to his depot at Bridgeport, lay along the south bank of the Ten-
nessee. The holding of this all important route was confided to Lieu-
tenant General Longstreet's command, and its possession forced the
enemy to a road double the length, over two ranges of mountains, by
wagon transportation. At the same time, our cavalry, in large force,
was thrown across the river to operate on this long and difficult route.
These dispositions, faithfully sustained, insured the enemy's speedy
evacuation of Chattanooga for want of food and forage. Possessed
of the shortest road to his depot, and the one by which reinforcements
must reach him, we held him at our mercy, aud his destruction was
only a question of time. The disastrous loss of these advantages
must be the subject of a future communication. The suggestion of a
movement by our right, immediately after the battle, to the north of
the Tennessee, ami thence upon Nashville, requires notice only
because it will find a place on the files of the. department. Such a
movement was utterly impossible for want of transportation. Nearly
half our army consisted of reinforcements just before the battle,
without a wagon or an artillery horse, and nearly, if not quite, a third
of the artillery horses on the field had been lost. The railroad bridges,
too, had been destroyed to a point south of Ringgold, and, in all. the
road from Cleveland to Knoxville. To these insurmountable difficul-
ties were added the entire absence of means to cross the river, except
by fording at a few precarious points too deep for artillery, and the
well known danger of sudden rises, by which all communication would
be cut, a contingency which did actually happen a few days after the
nary sen ae way proposed. But the most serious objection to the
proposition was its entire want of military propriety. It abandoned
to the enemy our entire line of communication, an 1 laid open to hioi
our depots of supplies, whilst it placed us with a greatly inferior
force beyond a difficult and, at times, impassable river, in a country
affording uo subsistence to men or animals. It also left open to the
enemy, at a distance of only ten miles, our battle field, with thou-
sands of our wounded and his own, and all the trophies and supplies
we had won. All this was to be risked and giveu up for what? To
gam the enemy's rear and cut him oft' from his depot of supplies by
the route ovo:- the mountains, when the very movement abandoned to
his unmolested use the better and more practicable route of half the
length on the south side of the river. It is hardly necessary to say

the proposition was not even entertained, whatever may have been the
inferences drawn from subsequent movements.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

'BRAXTON BRAGG, General.

Warm Springs, Ga., January 2, 13G4.

General S. Cooper,

Adjutant General, C. S. A. :

Sir : I forward the reports of the battles of Chickamauga by my
aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Ellis. The maps of the battle-field have
been so long and so unexpectedly delayed that I conclude not to wait
for them any longer. They are daily expected from Dalton, where I
left them nearly completed, and will be forwarded as soon as received.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

BRAXTON BRAGG, General.

REPORT OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL LONGSTREET.

Headquarters near Chattanooga,
October, 1862.
Colonel George Wm. Brent,

Assistant Adjutant General :

Colonel : Our train reached Catoosa platform, near Ringgold, about
two o'clock in the afternoon of the 19th of Soptember. As soon a3
<>ur horses came up, about four o'clock, I started with Colonel Sorrel
and Colonel Manning, of my staff, to find the headquarters of the
commanding General. We missed our way, and did not report until
near eleven o'clock at night. Upon my arrival, I was informed that
the troops had been engaged during the day in severe skirmishing,
while endeavoring to get in line for battle. The commanding Gene-
ral gave me a map showing the roads and streams between Lookout
mountain and the Chickamauga river, and a general description of our
position, and informed me that the battle was ordered at daylight the
next morning ; the action to be brought on upon our right, and to be
taken up successively to the left; the general movement to bo awheel
upon ray extreme left as a pivot. I was assigned to the command of
the left wing, composed of Hood's and Hindman's divisions, an im-
provised division under Brigadier General B. R. Johnson, and Buck-
ner's corps, consisting of Stewart's and Preston's divisions. The
•irtillery consisted of the battalions of Majors Williams, Robertson
and Leyden, together with some other batteries attached to brigades.

As soon as day of the 20th had dawned, I rode to the front to find,
my troops. The line was arranged from the right to left as follows :
Stewart's, Johnson's Hindman's and Preston's divisions. Hood's di-
vision (of which only three brigades were up) was somewhat in the
rear of Jchnson's. Kershaw's and Humphrey's brigades, McLaw's di-
vision, were ordered forward from Ringgold the night before, but were
not yet up. General McLaws had not arrived from Richmond. I set
to work to have the line adjusted by closing to the right, in order to
"Ccupy some vacant ground between the two wings, and to make room
tor Hood in the front line. The divisions were ordered to form with
two brigades in the front line, and one supporiing, where there were
but three brigades, and two supporting where there were more
than three. General Hood was ordered to take the brigades of Ker-
rdiaw and Humphreys and use them as supports for his division, thus
making his division the main column of attack. Before these arrange-
ments were completed, the attack was made by our right wing about
ten o'clock. The battle seemed to rage with considerable fury, but
lid not progress as had been anticipated. As soon as I was prepared,
1 sent to the commanding General to suggest that 1 had probably better
make my attack. Before the messenger returned, I heard that the
'"ommanding General had sent orders for the division commanders to>
move forward and attack. I had no time to find the officer who brought
the order, as some of the troops were in motion when I heard of it..

TJpcn this information, I at once issued orders to attack to the troops
not already in motion, holding one of Buckner's divisions (Preston's)
in reserve. As the battle upon our right was not so successful as had
been expected in the plan of attack, I was obliged to reverse the or-
der of battle, by retaining my right somewhere near the left of . the
right wing. To do this, Stewart's division was obliged to halt upon
reaching the Lafayette and Chattanooga road. Hood's column broke
the enemy's line near tbe Brotherton house, and made its wheel to the
right. In making this movement, Major General Hood fell severely,
and it w;is feared mortally, wounded, by a minie ball breaking hia
'high. He had broken the enemy's line, however, and his own troops
and those to his right and left continued to press the enemy with such
spirit and force that he could not resist us.

Brigadier Geneial Law succeeded to the command of Hood's divis-
ion, and Brigadier General Kershaw to the command of the two bri-
gades of McLaws' division. General Kershaw having received no
definite orders himself, (being under the command of General Hood.)
and was not advised of the wheel to the right, had gained more ground
to the front than was intended in the movement of his two brigades.
Johnson's division followed the movement made by Hood, and gained
the Crawfish Spring and Chattanooga road, having a full share in the
conflict.

Major General Hindman, in command of my left division, first met
the enemy near the Vineyard house, and drove him back upon
his strong position near the widow Glenn's or burnt house. By
a well-directed front and flank attack, he gained the position after
a severe struggle. The enemy's dead at this point mark well his line
of battle. Hindman was then ordered to move by his right flank and
reinforce Johnson, near the Villets house, who was pressing forward
against great odds.

About three o'clock in the afternoon, I asked the commanding Gen-
eral for 6ome of the troops of the right wing, but was informed by
liim that they had been beaten back so badly that they could be of no
service to me. I had but one division that had not been engaged, and
hesitated to venture to put it in, as our distress upon our right seemed
to be almost as great as that of the enemy upon his right. I there-
fore concluded to hold Preston for the time, and urge on to renewed
efforts our brave men who had already been engaged many hours. The
heights extending from the Villets house across to the Snodgrass house
gave the enemy strong ground upon which to rally. Here ho gathered
most of his broken forces and reinforced them. After a long and
bloody struggle, Johnson and Hindman gained the heights near the
Crawfish Spring road. Kershaw made a most handsome attack upon
the heights at the Snodgrass house, simultaneously with Johnson and
Hindman, but was not strong enough for the work. It was evident
that with this position gained, I should be complete master of the field.
I therefore ordered General Buckner to move Preston forward. Be-
fore this, however, General Buckner had established a battery of twelve
guns, raking down the enemy's line which opposed our right wing,
and at the same time having fine play upon any force that might at-

tempt to reinforce the hill that he was ahout to attack. General
Stewart, of his corps, was also ordered to move against any such force
in flank. The combination was well timed and arranged. Preston
dashed gallantly at the hill. Stewart flanked a reinforcing column,
and captured a large portion of it. At the same time, the fire of the
battery struck such terror into a heavy force close under it, that we took
there also a large number of prisoners. Preston's assault, though
not a complete success at the onset, taken in connection with the other
operations, crippled the enemy so badly that his ranks were badly
broken, and by a flank movement and another advance the heights
were gained. These reinforcements were the enemy's last or reserve
corps, and a part also of the line that had been opposing our right
wing during the morning. The enemy broke up in great confusion
along my front, and, about the same time, the right wing made a gal-
lant dash and gained the line that had been held so long and obsti-
nately against it. A simultaneous and continuous shout from t,he two
wings announced our success complete. The enemy had fought every
man that he had, and every one had been in turn beaten. As it was
almost dark, I ordered my line to remain as it was ; ammunition
boxes to be refilled, stragglers to be collected, and everything in rea-
diness for the pursuit in the morning.

Early on the 21st, the comrnandimg General stopped at my bivouac
and asked my views as to our future movements. I suggested cross-
ing the river above Chattanooga, so as to make ourselves sufficiently
felt on the enemy's rear, as to force his evacuation of Chattanooga—
indeed, force him back upon Nashville, and, if we should find our
transportation inadequate for a continuance of this movement, to fol-
low up the railroad to Knoxville, destroy Burnside, and from there
threaten the enemy's railroad communication in rear of Nashville.
This I supposed to be the only practicable flank movement, owing
to the scarcity of our transportation ; and it seemed to keep us very
nearly as close to the railroad as we were at the time. At parting
I understood the commanding General to agree that such was proba-
bly our best move, and that he was about to give the necessary orders
for its execution. Orders came in the afternoon for the march. The
rear of the right wing did not move until quite dark. I did not, there-
lore, put my wing in motion till daylight the following morning Be-
fore moving on the morning of the 2 2d, McLaws' division was or-
dered to follow the enemy on to Chattanooga. The remainder of the
command marched for the Red house ford, and halted about noon.
During that night I received orders to- march the entire command
back to Chattanooga, and moved in pursuance thereof early on the
2;3d. We reached the Watkins house about eleven o'clock, A. M.,
and proceeded to take up a line around the enemy's position at Chat-
tanooga. I desire to mention the following named officers as distin-
guished for conduct and ability, viz: Major Generals Hood, Buckner
Hmdman and Stewart; Brig. Generals'B. R. Johnson, Preston, Law'
(respectively in command of division,) Kershaw, Patton, Anderson'
Gracie, McNair, (severely wounded.) and Colonels Trigg and Kelly
both in command of brigades. Honorable mention should also be*

made of Brigadier Generals Humphreys, Benning, Deas, Clayton,
Bate, Brown, Robertson and Manigault. For more detailed accounts
of the noble deeds performed by our gallant officers and brave sol-
diers, I refer you to the reports of my junior officers. The steady,
good conduct throughout the long conflict of the subordinate officers
and men which the limits of this report will not permit me to partic-
ularize, is worthy of the highest praise and admiration. I am greatly
indebted to Lieutenant Colonel Sorrel, assistant adjutant general,
Lieutenat Colonel Manning, chief of ordnance, Major Latrobe, as-
sistant adjutant and inspector general and Captain Manning, signal
corps, for their able, untiring and gallant assistance. Colonel Man-
ning received a painful wound. The movement of Stewart's division
against the enemy'B reinforcements was made upon the suggestion of
Colonel Sorrel and Captain Manning. The result was the beginning
of the general break throughout the enemy's line. My other staff
officers had not arrived from Virginia. Major Walton, acting chief of
subsistence department, and Major Keilly. acting chief of quarter-
master's department, were at the railroad depot in the active discharge
of the duties of their departments. Among tho captures made by the
left wing during the day, were not less than forty pieces of artillery,
over three thousand prisoners, and ten regimental standards, besides
a few W3gons, seventeen boxes small arms, eleven hundred and thirty
Bets accoutrements, and three hundred and ninety-three thousand
rounds small arm ammunition, were collected on the field. The ac-
companying list of casualties shows a loss by the command (without
McNair's brigade, from which no report has been received) of one
thousand and eighty nine killed, six thousand five hundred and six
wounded, and two hundred and seventy-two missing. Its strength on
going into action on the 20th was two thousand and thirty-three offi-
cers and twenty thousand eight hundred and forty-nine men.
I have the honor to be, Colonel,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. LONGSTREET,

Lieutenant General.

REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL S. B. RUCKNER.

Headquarters near Chattanooga, November 11, 1863.

Colonel Sorrel,

Assistant Adjutant General LongstreeCs Corps :

Colonel : I have the honor to submit, in connection with the reports
of my subordinate commanders, the following synopsis of the military
movements of Buckner's corps on the 18th, 19th and 2Uth Septem-
ber, 1863:

The corps consisted of the division of Major General A. P. Stewart,
which was composed of Johnson's, Brown's, Bate's and Clayton's
brigades, and of the division of Brigadier General William Preston,
composed of the brigades of Brigadier General Gracie and of Colo-
nels Trigg and Kelly, of a battalion of artillery to each division, and
a battalion of reserve artillery, under Major S. C. Williams. Briga-
dier General Johnson's brigade having been detached several days
before, by orders from army headquarters, was engaged under its
gallant commander under the orders of another corps commander,
and did not report to me until two days after the battle.

On the morning of the 18th, I moved from a point on Peavine
creek, midway between Peavine church and Rock Spring church, un-
der orders to cross the West Chickamauga river at Thedford's
ford, after Major General Walker's division had succeeded in crossing
below me. Part of my route being common with that of Walker's
column, my march was somewhat retarded by the encounter of the
two columns, but notwithstanding this I occupied, about two, P. M.,
with Stewart's division, after, a brisk skirmish, the crossing at Thed-
ford's ford, and with Preston's division, without opposition, the cross-
ing at Hunt's or Dalton's ford. In this position, holding both banks
of the stream, I awaited the movements of Walker, on my right.

At daylight on the 19th, under instructions from the commanding
General, I crossed my entire corps to the west bank and forinSd it in,
line of battle — Stewart on the right, (on the left of Hood's division,)
facing southwest, in the direction of Lee & Gordon's mill ; General
Cheatham's division, as I was informed, being directed to sustain me
in the proposed advance. About noon, when the enemy's attack on
Walker had been met, and Cheatham's division, which had been sent
to sustain him, had become hotly engaged, Stewart's division was de-
tached, by the orders of the commanding General, to support Cheat-
ham. For the operations of his division until he again came under
my orders, on the following afternoon, I refer to the report of its
able commander.

In obedience to the orders of the commanding General, I remained
with my remaining division to hold the extreme left of the line.
With this view I deployed Preston's division on a line exteuding from
an abrupt elevation on the bank of the river along a ridge in a north-
west direction — the flanks well sustained by artillery.- Considerable

skirmishing took place towards the right of this lino— the enemy
falling hack in a southwest direction — and the troops were considera-
bly exposed to artillery fire during the day. Being informed by a
staff officer of the coin mantling General that General Hood, who had
advanced to- my right, was hard pressed, and being requested to rein-
force him as far as I could, I immediately, about three o'clock, P. M.,
sent to his assistance the brigade of Colonel Trigg, The gallant and
successful charge of this brigade drove back the advancing enemy and
relieved the left of Hood, which was out-flanked and retiring before
the enemy's heavy attack. During the day both Stewart's division
and Trigg's brigade had penetrated the enemv's line and passed be-
yond the Chattanooga road ; but at night both were drawn back into
positions which would conform to the general lin^, whii h had pushed
forward during the day's ac i<n. During the night of the 19th I
materially strengthened the position on the left by entrenchments.

On the morning of the 2Uth, Lieutenant General Longstreet as-
sumed command of the left wing. About two o'clock in the afternoon
he, in person, ordered me to conduct Preston's division, leaving one
regiment and a battery t'> hold the left, to the Chattanooga road.
Between three and fur o'clock it was formed as follows : Gnvie's
and Kelly's brigades in two lines, at Tight angles to the road north
of Brotherton's, and just in rear of Poe's, commonly called the
"burnt house;" Trigg's brigade just, south of Brotherton's hou.«e,
and supporting Williams' artillery. At this tiftie Stewart was in
line, his left advanced in front of Preston's right, bis light receding,
forming an obtuse angle with Preston's line. In his front was a
heavy breastwork of logs, on the summit of a slight ridge heavily
wooded and strongly held by the enemy's infantry and artillery. His
right flank was opposite the ungle of this work; his centre, facing
towards the northwest, was opposed to the Hank of the work, which
was perpendicular to the road. On Stewart's right, in front of the
face of the work, and parallel to the Chattanooga road, was Cleburne's
division, of Hill's corps. Brigadier General Laws' brigade, of Hood's
division, was in line perpendicular to the road to the left, and slightly
in advance of Preston, and close by the burnt house, (Poe's,) near
which was a battery of Hood's artillery. A personal reconnoissance,
in company with the Lieutenant General con mantling, showed an
advantageous position for artillery in front of Poe's burning house,
from which point the enemy's main line, which fronted eastward and
was situated a little to the east of Kelly's field, was exposed to an
enfilade fire, or rather to a fire slightly in reverse. His right flank,
as before stated, was thrown back at right angles to the road, and
was located behind log breastworks, in the heavy wood between Poe's
and Kelly's field's. As the enemy's right had been beaten back, it
had, by a conversion on this angle of their work as a pivot, been
gradually driven to assume a position also at right angles to the
road, his right resting on a chain of heights beginning near Snod-
grass' house, about a fourth of a mile west of Kelly's house, on the
load, and extending westward about one mile to the Crawfish road.
These heights ^constitute the southern spurs -niacin terminate Mis-

sionary rnlge, are covered with open woods, have a gentle but irre-
gular slope oil the south, the north and the east, and their summits
are fully a hundred feet above the level of the surrounding country.
A little after four o'clock, P. M., under instruction from the Lieu-
tenant General commanding, I ordered Preston, with Gracie's and
Kelly's brigades, to support Kershaw's brigade in the attack on the
heights near Snodgrass' house, sustaining him afterwards by Trigg's
brigade. Under the able direction of Brig. Gen. Preston, the first two
brigades passed Kershaw's and Anderson's brigades, which had suf-
fered severely in the action, and, with great impetuosity, assailed the
enemy in his almcst impregnable position. Trigg, on coming up, was
directed to the left cf Kelly, ami, joining in a simultaneous move-
ment of Brigadier General B. 11. Johnson's division still farther to
the left, pierced and turned the enemy's line, and, in conjunction
with Kelly, Gracie and Robertson, drove him from his strong position
into the ravines beyond, where a large number of prisoners were cap-
tured. For the details of this brilliant action I refer you to the
graphic report of Brigadier General Preston. While this action was
progressing, the Lieutenant General commanding directed Stewart's
division to advance and to aid the combined attack. I ordered, by
his authority, Williams' battalion of reserve artillery to be placed in
position in front of Poe's house. This was done under the immediate
ition of Major Porter, my chief of artillery. About this time
the enemy were moving reinforcements to Sustain his right, which was
staggering under the terrific assault of Preston. Williams, with
eleven pieces of artillery, opened upon thi* reinforcing column with
ructive effect, dispersing it in every direction and silencing his
artillery. At the same time, Stewart assaulted the enemy's works
and captured a number of prisoners, who dared not cross the stream
of fire which Williams poured across their path*, Stewart, in advanc-
ing, also threw forward one of his batteries, which joined in the lire.
As he advanced, I conducted Darden's battery, of Williams' artillery,
to Kelly's field, but this battery, as well as Stewart's division, it now
being nightfall, was withdrawn into the edge of the wood, as we en-
countered in our advance the right wing of our army, which joined
in the assault of the enemy's works, and was moving in a direction
perpendicular to our line of march. The continued cheers of the
army announced, at dark, that every point of the field had been
gained. Stewart bivouacked within the entrenchments he had as-
saulted; Preston, upon the heights he had so gillantly won.

For the details of the action of which this report is only a brief
synopsis, and a notice of individual conduct, I respectfully refer you
to the reports of the division, brigade and regimental commanders,
and of the chief and battalion commanders of the artillery, which are
herewith transmitted.

To the gentlemen of my staff I am indebted for their prompt and
gallant discharge of duty on every occasion. No commendation from
me can add to the well-earned reputation of Major General Stewart
and his able brigadiers — Johnson, who was detached and in command
of an improvised division, Brown, Bate and Clayton. They were

worthy leaders of the brave troops, nearly all of them veterans, whom
they so gallantly led. Upon Brigadier General Preston and his brig-
ade commandcrs^Brigadier General Gracie and Colonels Trigg and
Kelly, I cannot ^3tow higher praise than to say, that their conduct
and example were such as to convert a body of troops, but few of
whom had before been under fire, into a division of veterans in their
first battle. Stewart's veterans maintained the reputation they had
won on many fields. Treston's troops emulated their example and
equalled them in merit.

The recapitulation of the heavy losses sustained in both divisions
is a sad testimony of the soldierly qualities of the survivors. Few
troops, who have suffered so heavily, have been victorious on the
field of their losses. But the result is only another evidence of the
invincible spirit of our people, which, under the guidance of Provi-
dence, must finally win us our independence as a- nation.
I am, Colonel, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

S. B. BUCKNER,
Major General lately commanding Buckner''s Corps.

REPORT OF MAJOR FRANK PORTER.

Headquarters Buckner's Division,

Niar Chattanooga, Nov. 10, 18G3.

To Major William F. Martin,

Assista?it Adjutant General :

Major : I have the honor to submit the following report of the ope-
rations of the artillery of General Buckner's corps, at the battle of
Ghickamauga, and consisted of Williams' battalion of four butteries;
Leyden's battalion of three batteries, and three batteries of Major
General Stewart's division, acting with their brigades. Leyden's bat-
talion was attached to Brigadier General Preston's division, and by
his order one battery was attached to each of his brigades.

As most of the ground over which the battle was fought was very
thickly wooded, we could not see more than three hundred yards to
the front, consequently could very seldom use artillery. For this
reason the batteries of Major General Stewart's division fired but a few
shots, though they were left in exposed positions and lost between
twenty and thirty horses. Two of the batteries of Leyden's battalion were
engaged Saturday and Sunday, but owing to the thickness of the timber
and undergrowth continued but a short time. They were unable to ascer-
tain the damage they inflicted. They suffered but a slight loss them-
selves. One of his batteries (Jeffries') was held on the extreme left
of the original line until the battle ceased. Williams' battalion was
kept as reserve, and on Saturday morning was placed in position on
the ridge which Preston's division occupied. When Stewart's division
was carried to the right of the line, Brigadier General Mackall, Gen-
eral Bragg's chief of staff, ordered that all the artillery that could be
spared from the corps should be plaeed in the position just vacated by
General Stewart. In obedience to this order, Major Williams was
directed to post two of his batteries there, and remain to repel any
assault that the enemy's infantry might make. He remained there
several hours, part of the time under a heavy artillery fire which he
could not return, as our fuses are so uncertain that he would have run
the risk of killing our own men by firing over their heads. He re-
mained there till about sundown, when he was moved back to his for-
mer position, where he remained till the left made its move to the frout
and right on Sunday. He was then ordered to leave Baxter's battery
to assist Jeffries in holding the bluff on the extreme left of the line,
and move with bis three other batteries in rear cf Preston's division.
After getting to the Chattanooga road, he was placed in several posi-
tions to check the expected moves of the enemy, but did not get into
action till about five, P. M. This was when Preston's division was in
the hottest of the fight, and the enemy was crossing the Chattanooga
road in large numbers to reinforce that part of their army holding the
hill to the left. Major Williams was then ordered to take position
about a thousand yards from where they were crossing and open fire

with his three latteries. This he did, with great execution, silencing
the enemy's artillery, cutting off the reinforcements, and enabling the
infantry to capture between five and six hundred prisoners. All the
officers and men acted, whenever they had an opportunity of doin^
bo, with courage and coolness. Enclosed arc reports of the battalion
commanders.

Very respectfully, Your obedient servant,

THOMAS K. PORTER,
Mo jar and Chief of Artillery.

REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL A. P. 'STEWART.

Headquarters Stewart's Division, )

Near Chattanooga, TVwn., October 15, 1363. )

Captain J. N. Gallahkr,

Assistant Adjutant General :

Sir: This division, constituting at the time a part of Euckncr'a
corps, "with the exception of Johnson's brigade detached, marched, on
Thursday morning, September i 7th, 1863, from Lafayette, Georgia,
in the direction of Chattanooga. We bivouacked for the night on Pea-.
vine creek, and resumed the march next morning with Bute's brigade
in front, Clayton's following, and Brown's in rear, the column taking
the direction to Thedford's ford on the west Chickamauga. Arriving
during the afternoon of Friday, the 18th, within a mile or less of the
ford, Major General Buckner directed me to occupy the high ground
in. its vicinity, commanding the approaches to it, but not to bring on
an engagement with the enemy, who were near at hand, unless neces-
eary. With the aid of Major Nocquet, of the engineers, Bate's and
Clayton's brigades, with their batteries, were placed in position on the
wooded heights, respectively, below and above the ford, Brown's
being drawn up in reserve in rear of Clayton's. The Eufala bat-
tery, Captain Oliver commanding, and Caswell's battalion of sharp-
shooters, both of Bate's brigade, opened fire upon the enemy, in the
direction of Alexander's bridge, who soon retired. Three companies
from Clayton's brigade were then sent across the stream to occupy,
as skirmishers, a wooded hill beyond, and after nightfall his entire
brigade crossed.

Early Saturday morning, the 19th, the other two brigades passed
on, and formed in rear of Clayton's. The commanding General
coming up soon after, and receiving information that the troops which
had crossed the stream lower down had advanced and established their
line in front of and nearly at right angles to Preston's, whose divis-
ion had passed the stream above and was then on my left, General
Buckner directed me to move forward and form on the left of this line.
This was done, Clayton forming on the left of McNair, whose bri-
gade constituted part of an impromptu division, commanded by Briga-
dier General B. R. Johnson, Brown and Bate in rear. Preston's
division was then formed on my left, also in three lines, all fronting
nearly or quite to the west. While in this position the Eufala bat-
tery (three-inch rifled guns) was sent forward by General Buckner's
order, as I was informed, and opened fire on the enemy's position in
front. The enemy replied with shell and round shot, wounding a few
of our men. A subsequent change, mado also by order of General
Buckner, moved us a space equal to brigade front directly to the right.
Soon after making this change of position, and, as I supposed, near
noon, Major Pollock B. Lee brought me an order from the command-
ing General to move to the point where firing had commenced, which

seemed to be a considerable distance to the right and somewhat to the
rear of us. Before moving I went to General -Bragg himself, who
was near by, in order to get more specific directions. He informed
me that Walker was engaged on the right, was much cut up, and tho
enemy threatening to turn his flank, that General Polk was in com-
mand on that wing, and that I must be governed by circumstances.
Moving by the right flank in the direction indicated, from half a mile
to a mile, we arrived near a corn-field, beyond which the heaviest
firing was heard. Messengers were sent in search of General Polk,
but without success, and fearing to lose too much time, I determined
to move upon the enemy across the corn-field. Lieutenant W. B.
Richmond, aid to General Polk, confirmed me in this design. He
came up in search of the General himself, and told me that, from
what he knew of the nature of the ground and situation of the enemy,
a better point at which to attack them could not be found. Accord-
ingly, Brigadier General Clayton was directed to advance, and it is but
just to this excellent officer and his fine brigade to say that they moved
forward to this their first engagement with great spirit and alacrity,
and in admirable order. Major Hatcher, of ray staff, was sent with
them to bring me intelligence, and I followed myself until overtaken
by an aid of Brigadier General Wright, of Cheatham's division. wTho
informed me that Wright's brigade had been turned by the enemy on
its left, its battery captured and the General needed aid. Passing a
short distance towards the left, and meeting General Wright he in-
formed me that his brigade had fallen back, leaving his battery in the
hands of the enemy. This, at least, was the substance of what he said,
according to my recollection. Brigadier General Brown was immer
diatcly ordered to advance, and, soon after, it was discovered that
Clayton's brigade had obliqued to the left and was moving forward in
our front. After a severe engagement of near an hour, during which
he sustained a loss of nearly four hundred officers and men, General
Clayton withdrew to replenish his exhausted ammunition, and his
place wag supplied by General Brown. This gallant officer with his
veteran command advanced rapidly, driving the enemy before them
several hundred yards through a dense undergrowth and routing his
first line, driving it back upon his second, which was posted on a slight
ridge, and supported by artillery. Advancing upon this line, under
h terrific fire from all arms, the enemy were forced from the ridge,
which Wae occupied, but from which the brigade soon withdrew, in
eons< qu< nee of a force of the enemy threatening its right.

After passing the dens? undergrowth mentioned, the horses were
killed and gunners driven from several field pieces opposite the centre
and right, of the brigade. Three of them, six-pounder rifled brass
pieces, were brought off by Lieutenant Anderson, commanding Daw-
son's battery, and two others by other troops of the division. The
left regiment (twenty-sixth Tennessee) also drove the enemy from
another battery, three pieces of which were left between the opposing
lines, but were not brought off. The brigade sustained, during this
engagement, a heavy loss in officers and men. It being necessary to
relieve Brown, Bate's brigade was brought up and received by the ene-

my "with as hot a fire as had successively greeted Clayton and Brown.
Attacking, however, with their usual impetuosity, they drove the ene-
my back, forcing him to withdraw his batteries and to abandon one
position after another, losing and recapturing a piece of artillery, and
wresting from him the flag of the fifty-first Tennessee regiment,
Wright's brigade. Clayton's brigade being again brought forward as
a support to Bate, the two pressed on, driving the enemy beyond the
road leading to Chattanooga. Clayton's brigade, with a portion of
Bate's, continued the pursuit for half a mile beyond this road, when,
in consequence of threatening movements on the right and left, they
fell back leisurely about sunset, reforming on the east side of the road.

In these charges the fifteenth and thirty-seventh Tennessee regi-
ments, Colonel Tyler commanding, captured four pieces of artillery,
and Clayton's brigade, aided by the fifty-eighth Alabama, of Bate's
brigade, (Colonel Bush Jones commanding,) captured three pieces.
During the whole of these several engagements the enemy's fire was
very heavy and destructive, and each brigade suffered severely, both
in officers and men. Their conduct was most gratifying and needs no
praise from me.

As the result of the afternoon's work, to which each brigade con-
tributed its full share, I claim that we rescued the battery of Wright's
brigade and the flag of one of his regiments, that twelve pieces of
artillery were wrested from the enemy, from two to three hundred
prisoners were captured and several hundred stands of small arms se-
cured and sent to the rear, and the enemy's line pierced near its centre
and driven back beyond the Chattanooga road. Among the prisoners
was Lieutenant Colonel Von Schraden, assistant inspector general on
the ftaff of the Federal General Thomas. Of the artillery actually
captured, I am unable to ascertain how many pieces were ultimately
secured. After night, Major Eldridge, chief of artillery, sent four
pieces and one caisson beycnd the Chickamauga.

The men being exhausted, and night approaching, after distributing
ammunition, Brown's brigade was formed in front, facing the Chatta-
nooga road; Clayton on the right and facing in that direction, as there
were no troops of ours within half a mile of us towards the right.
Bate's brigade on the left and in rear of Brown's. During the night
a nvmber of stragglers from the ranks of the enemy were picked up
and sent to the rear by my skirmishers or pickets. I should have
stated that owing to the difficulties of the ground, its advantages being
altogether. with the enemy, it was found impracticable to use artillery.
During the night the enemy were heard constructing defences, and
moving artillery towards his left.

Alter leaving General Bragg, as mentioned, I saw no officer whose
rank was superior to my own for the rest of the day. Having been
separated from the corps to which the division was attached, a staff
officer was sent after night — the earliest moment practicable — to re-
port to Major General Buckner, who directed that we should remain
in position until further orders.

Early the next morning, 2l)th, Lieutenant General Longstrect, who
had arrived during the night, came to see me, and informed me that I

would receive ray orders on that day directly from him, that the attack
was to commence on our extreme right at daylight, was to be followed
on the left, and gradually or rather successively to extend to the cen-
tre, and that I should move after the division on my right or the one
on my left had moved, according to circumstances. Apprising him
of the fact that there were no troops to the right, at least within a
half mile, he directed me to move something more than a quarter of a
mile in that direction. This was done, Brown's brigade forming on
the front line on the crest of a slight ridge, and constructing a breast-
work of logs ; Clayton's a few hundred yards in rear, on a parallel
ridge, and Bate with his left resting on Brown's right, his line ex-
tending obliquely to the right and rear. t:> prevent the enemy from
turning our position, it having been ascertained that the right wing
was a very considerable distance to our rear. My division was the
right of the left wing commanded by Lieutenant General Longstreet,
and McNair's brigade was on the left of Browu's. Subsequently
Wood's brigr.de, of Cleburne's division, was formed on the right, and
in prolongation of Brown's, and about nine, A M., Deshler's was
formed on the right of Bate's.

In the meantime, a heavy fire was opened upon us from the enemy's
batteries in our immediate front, and but a few hundred yards distant,
by which some losses were occasioned. At length, about eleven, A.
M., Major Lee, of General Bragg's staff, came to me with an order to
advance at once and attack the enemy.. I informed him what orders
had previously been received, and that no attack had been made on
my right. He replied that General Bragg hail directed him to pass
along the lines and give the order to every division commander to move
upon the enemy immediately. Accordingly I arranged with General
Wood that he should advance with Brown, which was done without
delay. Clayton was moved up immediately to Brown's position, and
Bate's right thrown forward to bring him on line with Clayton, when
they also advanced to be within supporting distance of Brown and
Wood. For several hundred yards both lines pressed on under the
most terrible fire it has ever been my fortune to witness. The enemy
retired, and our men, though mowed down at every step, rushed on at
double-quick until at length the brigade on the right of Brown broke
in confusion, exposing him to an enfilade fire. Jie continued on,
however, some fifty to seventy-five yards farther, when hi3 two right
regiments gave way in disorder and retired to their original position.
His centre and left, however, followed by the gallant Clayton and in-
domitable Bates, pressed on, passing the corn-field in front of the burnt
house, and to a distance of two to three hundred yards beyond the
Chattanooga road, driving the enemy within his line of entrenchments
and passing a battery of four guns, which were afterwards taken pos-
session of by a regiment from another division. Here new batteries
being opened by the enemy on our front and flank, heavily supported
by infantry, it became necessary to retire, the command reforming on
the ground occupied before the advance.

During this charge, which was truly heroic, our loss was severe.
Several valuable officers were killed and wounded. Generals Brown and

Clayton were each struck by spent grape, temporarily disabling the
former, and General Bate and several of his staff had their horses
killed, the second lost by General Bate that- morning. After remain-
ing long enough to reform the lines, to replenish ammunition and re«t
the men, the commaud again advanced to the corn-field mentioned
above, then moved by the right flank until it formed across a ridge
which extended obliquely to the front and right. The enemy were
still in position behind a breastwork of logs, a few hundred yards io
front of us, and General Buckner coming up, I understood it to be hi»
wish that I should not then attempt to go forward, but to await orders.

In the meantime a severe struggle was going on to the right audi
left of the field, in one corner of which, near the Chattanooga road,
Btood Kelly's house.

About five, P. M., an order reached me, by an officer of General
Longsi reel's staff, to move forward upon the enemy. Brown's brig-
ade, now commanded by Colonel Cook, of the thirty-second JCennea-
Bee, was directed to*support the artillery placed in position on a hilj
in the corn-field to our left, and Clayton's and Bate's brigades in the
order named, advanced with a cheer and at a double-quick upon the
enemy's defences. The enemy gave way, utterly routed, our inoa
dashed over their breastworks pursuing to the edge of the open
ground or field around the "Kelly house," where we halted, capturing
three or four hundred prisoners, among whom was Major Beattie of
the regular army. A prisoner, brought up before the charge was inadef
stated that the position was held by the division of the Federal Gezi-
eral Reynolds. The Eufala battery was brought up and fired the
last shots at the retreating foe, who, being taken in flank by our attack,
fled from their position in front of the division on our right.

During the night and next morning several thousand stands of small
arms, accoutrements, <&c, and a large quantity of ammunition were
collected by my division, a large portion of which was removed by
our ordnance wagons.

Our total loss in the three brigades during Friday afternoon, Satur-
day and Sunday, was as follows, viz :

Brigades.

Brown's,

Bate's,

Clayton's,

Dawson's Battery,....

Eufala Battery.

Humphrey's Battery,
.Escort Company,

3
o

a
8

o
H

ll!0

IS '2
94
3
3
3
3

1 820

1,085

1,862

103

C<J

426
616

535

480

593

1 368

4,040

206

1,499

1,788

38.8
48.7
42.4

Among these were several officers of eminent worth and eerrices

• 34

otiose names are mentioned in the reports of brigade commanders.
I desire to express my high appreciation of Brigadier Generals Brown,
Bate and Clayton, and of their respective commands. Representing
the three States of Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, they vied vrith
each other in deeds of high and noble daring. The Confederacy has
nowhere braver defenders led by more skillful commanders. It is
due to the several members of my staff that I should acknowledge my
obligations for their invaluable services, and record my estimate cf
their personal bearing and conduct in the field.

Major II. A. Hatcher, A. A. General, than whom their is not a
more active or faithful (flicer in the service, displayed throughout his
usual intelligence, promptness and cool courage. Major John C.
Thompson, A. I. General, and Lieut. S. H. Cahal, A. A. and I. Gen-
eral, were conspicuous for their zeal and disregard of danger. Major
J. W. Eldridge, chief of artillery, discharged his duties with energy
and skiy, bringing the artillery into play, on the few occasions where
it was practicable, with judgment and success. j\Iy two aids, Lieu-
tenants Bromfield Ridley, Jr., and R. Caruthers Stewart, though very
young men, and the latter under fire for the first time, behaved with
commendable gallantry.

On Saturday, I was also well served by Mr. John E. Hatcher, a
rolunteer aid, and private John M. House, a clerk in the adjutant
general's office. To chief Surgeon G. B. Thornton, and the medical
inspector, Dr. G. W. Burton, I am indebted for the good care of the
wounded, and the excellent hospital arrangements provided under their
supervision, and for their unremitting attention to their duties. Un-
der the management of Captain J. W. Stewart, ordnance officer, sup-
plies of ammunition were always promptly at hand when needed, and
affairs were managed to my entire satisfaction in their respective de-
partments, by Majors John A. Lauderdale, acting quartermaster, and
J. D. Cross, acting commissary of subsistence, who are among the
most faithful and energetic officers of their branches of service.

My thanks are due to Captain H. L. Foule, commanding my escort,
and who acted as my aid, and to the officers and men of his admirable
company for their intelligence, activity and zeal. 1 have never re-
quired a service from the company, noY from any member of it, that
was not performed to my entire satisfaction. In conclusion, I desire
to express my humble but most grateful acknowledgements to Al-
mighty God for the signal success that crowned our arms. Greatly
outnumbered as we were by a skillful and determined foe, our own
strong arms and stout hearts could never have secured to us the vic-
tory without the Divine favor. Let all the praise be ascribed to His
holy name.

Enclosing with this the reports of brigade and regimental com-
manders, to which I beg to refer for details and for the names of those in
their respective commands who entitled themselves to special mention.
I am, Captain, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

ALEXANDER P. STEWART,

Major General.

Tlie credit of rescuing Carne's battery, of Wright's brigade, is due
to Brown's brigade. The flag of the fifty-first Tennessee regiment
was recaptured by Bate's brigade.

ALEX. P. STEWART,

Major General.

REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL B. F. CHEATHAM.

Headquarters Cheatham's Division, Polk's Corps, \
Army of Tennessee, Camp Preston Smith, before Chattanooga, >

October 20th, 1863. )

Lieutenant Colonel George Wm. Brent,

Assistant Adjutant General Army of Tennessee :

Colonel: I have the honor to report the action of my command at
the battle of Chickamauga, and in the subsequent affair resulting in
the occupation of Missionary ridge:

The division was composed of Jackson's brigade, Brig. Gen. John
K. Jackson ; Maney's brigade, Brigadier General George Maney ;
Wraith's brigade. Brigadier General Preston Smith ; Wright's brigade,
Brigadier General M. J. Wright; Strahl's brigade, Brigadier General
O. F. Strahl; Stanford's battery of four guns, Captain T. J. Stanford;
Oarnes' battery of four guns, Captain W. W. Carnes; Scoggin's bat-
tery of four guns, Captain J. Scoggins ; Scott's battery of four guns,
First Lieutenant Jno. Marsh commanding, and Smith's battery of four
guns, First Lieutenant William B. Turner commanding.

In obedience to orders from Lieutenant General Polk, I crossed
Chickamauga creek at Hunt's ford on the 19th September, at seven
o'clock, A. M., and moved my command by the flank in a northern
direction, formed my line of battle, and awaited orders.

At eleven o'clock, A. M., I received orders direct from the General
commanding the army, through Lieutenant Parker, of his staff, to
move to the extreme right of our line, to the support of Major Gen-
oral Walker, whose division had been for some time warmly engaged
and who reported himself as being heavily pressed by the superior
numbers of the enemy, who, subsequent events disclosed, had or was,
at this time, concentrating the bulk of his forces on our right and in
front of Major General Walker's command. Moving rapidly by
the right flank, I reached the road leading from Alexander's bridge,
&nd at once formed my command immediately in rear of Major Gen-
eral Walker's line of battle, Jackson's brigade on the right, Smith's
in the centre, and Wright's brigade on» the left, the whole line sup-
ported by Maney's and Strahl's brigades, which were held as reserves.
About twelve o'clock, M., I gave the order to advance, at the same time
notifying the several brigade commanders that there was no support
on the right or left flank, and, after proceeding about one hundred and
afty yards, the line encountered the enemy advancing rapidly in
heavy force in pursuit of the retiring columns of- Major Gen. Walker.
The left and centre of Jackson at once, and in a few moments therer
s,fter the entire line, became engaged, and succeeded in checking the
advance of the enemy, and handsomely drove him back, with heavy
loss, to the distance of about three-fourths of a mile, where he took
■shelter behind his breastworks, and, assisted by the arrival of heavy
.reinforcements, checked the further advance of my line. Without
support either on my right or left, and after a severe engagement of

two hours, I directed the three brigades to retire for reformation, and
ordered Generals Maney and Strabl to occupy and hold the positions
vacated by Jackson and Smith and make no attempt to advance.
Reaching the positions assigned them, Maney's and Strahl's brigades
were attacked in front and on both flanks, by the superior numbers of
the enemy and forced to retire and take position in rear of Jackson's
and Smith's brigades, which were moved forward in the position held
before the advance and on the right and left of Turner's battery.
The enemy, flushed with a supposed victory, boldly advanced upou
my line and, coming within short rauge, was checked and forced back
in disorder by the well-directed discharges of shell and canister from
the guns of Turner's battery. I made no effort to advance my line
after this success, for the reason that the enemy's dispositions on my
right and left flank, and from information derived from prisoners cap-
tured, satisfied rne that the entire corps of the Federal General Thomas,
reinforced by the divisionsof Vancleveand Palmer, were in my front.
I deemed it prudent, therefore, to simply hold my position, and await
the arrival of reinforcements. The result of this engagement of
about three hours' duration, against such heavy odds, with both flanks
exposed, was, that my command successfully checked the advance of
the enemy, whose purpose seemed to be to seize the crossing of the
Chickamauga at Alexander's bridge and Hunt's ford. This result
was attended with a he ivy loss of officers and men, as is attested by
the long list of casualties heretofore furnished to the commanding
General, and by numerous exhibitions of good conduct on the part of
efficers and men. particular mention of which is made in the report?
of the several brigade commanders, which are herewith forwarded. 1
cannot, however, forbear to refer to the important service rendered by
Lieutenant William B. Turner, commanding battery. Posted on an
elevation commanding the approach of the enemy, he used his advan-
tage with great effect, and displayed a degree of efficiency in the ser-
vice of his guns highly commendable to himself, his officers and men,
and accomplished a result, the importance of which it is difficult to
estimate. Three pieces of Scoggin's battery were at the same timi*
engaged, and rendered excellent service.

Jackson's brigade, during this engagement, took from the enemy
three pieces of his artillery and sent them to the rear. Scoggin,#
battery, of this brigade, in retiring, under orders, had the horses ot
one piece and one caisson disabled and left them in the hands of the
enemy. The piece and caisson were, however, subsequently recap-
tured.

Wright's brigade, occupying the extreme left of my line, after a
sharp conflict of tv>o hours' duration, was found to be exposed to a
severe fire on the left flank and forced to retire. Carnes' battery, doing
duty with this brigade, after losing one half of its men and horses,
was abandoned on the field, but the enemy was unable to remove the,
guns, and they were recaptured, uninjured, in the advance of the
next day.

At six o'clock, P. M., the division of Major General Cleburne ar
rived on the field, and, with my command, was ordered by Lieutenant

General Polk to attack the enemy at once. My entire command ad-
vanced, under a heavy- fire of musketry for about six hundred yards,
the enemy yielding and giving way to our approach. At this point,
orders were given to make no further advance and the firing abruptly
ceased, when my lines were reformed and the division bivouacked in
line of battle.

In this night attack, Jackson's and Smith's brigades only, of my
command, encountered the enemy. Three hundred of the enemy
were captured by Smith's brigade and sent to the rear, and the colors
of the seventy-seventh Pennsylvania regiment were captured by Col-
onel now Brigadier General A. J. Vaughan, Jr. It was in this night
attack that Btigadier General Preston Smith, of Tennessee, received
his mortal wound, from which he died in fifty minutes. At the
the head of his noble brigade, of which he had been the commander,
as colonel and brigadier general, for two years and a half, he fell in
the performance of what he himself, with his expiring breath, simply
said was his duty. Active, energetic and brave, with a rare fitness
to command, full of honorable ambition, in perfect harmony with the
most elevated patriotism, the whole country will mourn his fall and
do honor to his memory. Two of his staff, Captain John Donelson,
acting assistant adjutant general, and Captain Thomas H. King, act-
ing aid-do-camp, both officers of excellent merit, were killed within
a few minutes of General Smith.

During the night of the 19th September, I was notified by Lieuten-
ant General Polk that the attack would be renewed at daylight. My
command was already formed and in expectation of orders to advance
a,t the appointed hour, but, for reasons thus unknown to me, no ad-
vance was made until nine o'clock, A. M. When in the act of advanc-
ing my line, I discovered that my front was partially covered by Ma-
jor General Stewart's division, and, communicating the fact in person
to the General commanding the army, was by him directed not to ad-
vance, but to hold my command as a reserve. No part of my com-
mand, except Jackson's brigade, was engaged in the active operations
of the 20th September, until the hour of six, P. M.

About eleven o'clock, A. M., of the 20th September, Brigadier
General Jackson received orders from the General commanding the
army to go to the support of Lieutenant General Hill. For an ac-
count of the action of this brigade, whilst detached from my command,
your attention is directed to the report of Brigadier General Jackson.

At two o'clock, P. M., I received orders to proceed with my com-
mand to the extreme right of our line, where 1 remained until six,
P. M., when a general advance of the whole line was ordered. Jack-
son's brigade, on the left of General Walker, was now actively en-
gaged, and his ammunition being nearly exhausted, General Maney,
with his brigade, was ordered to relieve him. Wright's brigade was
ordered to form on Maney's right, and .to advance with the entire line,
now in motion. These brigades encountered but slight resistance.
The enemy, now fiercely assailed at all points, yielded the field to us
and fled in disorder.

At two o'clock, P. M., on the 21st, I moved my command in th«

direction of Chickarnauga station, and bivouackod for the night near
the old Mission house, on Chickamauga creek.

Early on the morning of the following day, I was directed by Lieu-
tenant General Polk to move in the direction of Chattanooga, and
arrived at the foot of Missionary ridge at ten o'clock, A. M. I soon
ascertained that the enemy occupied the crest of the ridge in force.
After making the necessary reconnoissances, Maney's brigade on the
right, and Smith's on the left, the latter was now commanded by Col-
onel A. J. Vaughan, were deployed and ordered to carry the position
held by the enemy, which was done, after a spirited engagement of a
few minutes — the position found to be one of much natural strength,
increased by breastworks made of stone and fallen timber , but the
enemy, now demoralized by a succession of disasters, made but a fee-
ble resistance, and fled in great haste.

In concluding this report, I beg to mention an act of daring and
heroism on the part of Colonel 8. S. Stanton, of the twenty-eighth
Tennessee volunteers. During the engagement of the 19th, his regi-
ment, exposed to a close and heavy fire, wavered for a moment, and
Beemcd to be in the act of falling back, when the intrepid Colonel
seized the colors of his regiment and, rushing to the front, called his
men to follow him. Inspired by his heroic example, the regiment re-
formed on the colors and at once recovered the ground they had lost.
Whilst the colors were in the hands of Col. Stanton, they were pierced
thirty times by the enemy's balls.

The officers of my staff, Major James D. Porter, Jr., assistant ad-
jutant general; Major John Ingram, assistant adj utaot general ; Ma-
jor Melanchen Smith, chief of artillery; Major Joseph Vaulx, Jr.,
assistant adjutant general ; Captain Thomas F. Henry, assistant in-
spector general; Dr. F. Rice, chief surgeon ; Lieutenant F. II. Mc-
Nairy, aid-de-camp ; Lieutenant J. Webb Smith, aid-de-camp ; Ma-
jor S. H. Brooks and A. L. Robertson, volunteer aids-de-carap ; Maj.
John A. Cheatham, chief of ordnance ; Maj G. V. Young, chief quar-
termaster ; Major B. J. Butler, chief commissary, all deserve honor-
able mention for the proper performance of the duties assigned them.

My escort, company G, second Georgia cavalry, Captain T. M.
Merritt, were, under my orders, employed in collecting the small
arms abandened by the enemy, and deserve honorable mention for the
industrious performance of their duty.

Respectfully, Colonel, your obedient servant,

B. F. CHEATHAM,
Major General Commanding.

REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL JOHN G. BRECKINRIDGE

Headquarters Breckinridge's Division, Hill's Corps, )

October, 1863. j

Lieutenant Colonel Archer Anderson,

Assistant Adjutant Genital:

Colonel : I have the honor to report the operations oF my division
in the battle of Chickaroauga, on the 19th and 20th of September
"last :

It was composed of the second, fourth, sixth and nintli Kentucky,
&nd forty-first Alabama regiments, with Cobb's buttery, under the
Command of Brigadier General B II. Helm; the thirteenth, twen-
tieth, sixteenth, twenty-fifth and nineteenth Louisiana, thirty-second
Alabama and Austin's battalion of sharpshooters, with Slocomb's bat-
tery, (fifth Washington artillery.) under the command of Brigadier
General Daniel Adams ; the first, third and fourth Florida, forty-
Boventh Georgia and sixtieth North Carolina regiments, with Mabano'a
ry, under the command of Brigadier General M. A. Stoval).
My effective strength was, of enlisted men, three thousand three
bundred and ninety-five. Total, three thousand seven hundred and
gixty-nine.

At daylight of the 18th my command moved from Catlott's gap
snd that neighborhood, in the Pigeon mountain, and the same after-
noon took position on the east bank of the Chiekamauga, near Class
•^ills, and composed the extreme left of the infantry of the army. 1
immediately threw the second Kentucky across the ford to skirmish
with the enemy and reveal his position, the sixth Kentucky being
placed in close supporting distance at the mill. Adams' brigade was
gent, by order of Lieutenant General Hill, to a ford a mile and-a-
half above, where the enemy, as the cavalry reported, threatened to
cross. It was so late when these dispositions were made that nothing
satisfactory was developed that night.

On the morning of the 19th Slocomb, with four guns, Cobb, with
two, and the remainder of Helm's brigade were moved across Glass'
ford to ascertain the position of the enemy, while the two rilled
pieces of Slocomb's battery, under Lieutenant Vaught, took position
en a bluff' upon the east side of the stream. An artillery engage-
ment ensued, much to our advantage, until the enemy, who occupied
She better position, brought forward a number of heavy guns and
fhowed the greater weight of metal. While the engagement was pro-
gressing, I received an order from Lieutenant General Hill to with-
craw my command, if it could be done without too great peril, and
take position about three miles south of Lee & Gordon's mill, on the
road leading from Chattanooga to Lafayette, and so as to cover the
approach to that road from Glass' mill and the ford above, leaving a
regiment and section of artillery to observe those crossings.

The movement was made in good order, Colonel Dilwortb, with the

first and third (consolidated) Florida and a section of Cobb's battery,
being left in observation. Our casualties, which fell upon Slocomb,
Cobb and Helm, were twenty-two killed and wounded. The loss of
the enemy in killed alone, as shown by an examination of the ground
after the 20th, was nearly equal to the sum of our casualties.
Although the enemy was in considerable strength at the fords above
referred to, the result showed that it was a covering force to columns
passing down the valley to unite with the centre and left of his army.
Soon after taking up the new position, I was ordered to relieve Brig-
adier General Patton Anderson's division, which was facing the enemy
opposite Lee & Gordon's mill. The troops marched rapidly, yet it
was late in the afternoon before this movement was completed. The
division was hardly in position when I received an order from the
General commanding the army to move to the right, cross the Ohick-
aruauga at a point further down and occupy a position to be indicated.
The division crossed at Alexander's bridge, and arriving, between ten
and eleven o'clock at night, at a field about a mile and a half in rear
of the right of our line of battle, bivouacked there by order of Lieu-
tenant General Polk. Remaining some time at Lieutenant General
Polk's camp-fire, 1 left there two hours before daylight (the Sikh) to
place my command in position. During the night General Polk in-
formed me that f was to prolong the line of battle upon the right of

Major General Cleburne. Conducted by M-jor , of his. staff,

and Lieutenant Reid, aid-de-enmp to General Hill, my division
reached Cleburne's right a little after daybreak. Upon there-adjust-
ment of his line, 1 formed on his right and became the extreme light
of the general line of battle. Helm was on the left of my line, Sto-
vall in the centre, and Adams on the right, the last extending acroBS
a country road leading from Reed's bridge and striking the Chatta-
nooga road at a place called Glenn's farm. The country was wooded,
with small openings, and the ground unknown to me. Our skirmish-
ers, a few hundred yards in advance, confronted those of the enemy.
Our line was supposed to be parallel to the Chattanooga road.

Soon after sunrise, I received a note from Lieutenant General Polk
directing me to advance, and about the same time Maj >r General
Cleburne, who happened to be with me, received one of the same
tenor. Lieutenant General Hill having arrived, th? notes were placed
in his hands. By his order, the movement was delayed for the troops
to get their rations, and on other accounts.

Dilworth, who had been relieved by a cavalry force late the pre-
ceding evening and who had marched all night, now ariived and took
iiis place in line.

At half past nine, A. M., by order of Lieutenant General Hill, I
moved my division forward in search of the enemy. At the distance
of seven hundred yards we came upon "him in force, and the battle
was opened by Helm's brigade with great fury. The second and
ninth Kentucky, with three companies of the forty-first Alabama,
encountered the left of a line of breastworks before reaching the
Chattanooga road and, though assailing them with great courage,
were compelled to pause. From some cause, the line on my left had

not advanced simultaneously with my division, and in consequence,
from the form of the enemy's works, these brave troops were, in ad-
dition to the fire in front, subjected to a severe enfilading fire from
the left. Twice they renewed the assault with the utmost resolution,
but were too weak to storm the position. The rest of Helm'6 brigade,
in whose front there were no woods, after a short, but sharp engage-
ment, routed a line of the enemy, pursued it across the Chattanooga
road, and captured a section of artillery posted in the centre of the
road. This portion of the brigade was now brought under a heavy
front and enfilading fire, and, being separated from its left and without
support, I ordered Colonel Joseph H. Lewis, of the sixth Kentucky,
who succeeded to the command upon the fall of General Helm, to
withdraw the troops some two hundred yards to the rear, to reunite
the brigade and change his front slightly, to meet the new order of
things by throwing forward his right and retiring his left. The move-
ment was made without panic or confusion.

This was one of the bloodiest encounters of the day. Here Gen.
Helm, ever ready for action and endeared to his command by his
many virtues, received a mortal wound, while in the'heroic discharge
of his duty. Colonel Hewitt, of the second Kentucky, was killed,
acting gallantly, at the head of his regiment. Captain Maderia, Cap-
tain Rogers, and Captain Leedman, of the second; Captain Daniel, of
the ninth Kentucky, and many other officers and men, met their
deaths before the enemy's works ; while Colonel Nuckols, of the fourth
Kentucky, Colonel Caldwell, of the ninth, and many more officers
and men, were wounded.

In the meantime, Adams and Stovall advanced steadily, driving
back two lines of skirmishers. Stovall halted at the Chattanooga
road. Adams, after dispersing a regiment and capturing a battery,
crossed the road at Glenn's farm, and halted a short distance beyond,
in an open field. When Helm's brigade was checked, and I had given
Colonel Lewis orders in reference to his new position, I rode to the
commands of Adams and Stovall on the right. It was now evident
from the comparatively slight resistance they had encountered, and
the fact that they were not threatened in front, that our liue had'
extended beyond the enemy's left. I at once ordered thege brigades
to change front perpendicular to the original line of battle, and with
the left of Adams, and the right of Stovall resting on the Chattanooga
road, to advance upon the flank of the enemy. Slocomb's battery,
which had previously done good service, was posted on favorable
ground on the west of the road to support the movement. The brig-
ades advanced in fine order over a field, and entered the woods be-
yond. Stovall soon encountered the extreme left of the enemy's
works, which, retiring from the general north and south direction of
his entrenchments, extended westwardly nearly to the Chattanooga
road. After a severe and well contested conflict, he was checked and
forced to retire. Adams, on the west of the road, met two lines of the
enemy, who had improved the short time to bring up reinforcements
and reform nearly at a right angle to the troops in his main line of
works. •

The first line was routed, but it was found impossible to break the
second, aided as it was by artillery, and after a sanguinary contest,
which reflected high honor on the brigade, it was forced back in some
confusion. Here General Adams, who is as remarkable for his judg-
ment on the field as for his courage;, was severely wounded and fell
into the hands of the enemy. Among the casualties, Lieutenant
Colonel Turner, of the nineteenth Louisiana, was wounded, and the
gallant Major Butler, of the same regiment, was killed.

Stovall had gained a poiut beyond the angle of the enemy's main
line of works. Adams had advanced still farther, being actually in
rear of his entrenchments. A good supporting line to my division
at this moment would probably have produced decisive results. As
it was, the engagement on pur right had inflicted on the enemy heavy
losses, and compelled him to weaken other parts of his line to hold
his vital point. Adams' brigade reformed behind Slocomb's battery,
which repulsed the enemy by a rapid and well-directed fire, rendering
on this occasion important and distinguished services.

By order of Lieutenant General Hill, my division was withdrawn
a short distance to recruit, while the troops of Major General Walker
engaged the enemy. My new line was about six hundred yards in
advance of the position on which I first formed in the morning, with
a slight change of direction, which brought my right relatively nearer
to the Chattanooga road.

Soon after taking this position, an attack was reported on our right
flank. It proved to be Granger's corps coming up from Rossville,
and threatening our right with a part of his force. At the request
of Biigadier General Forrest, I sent him a section of Cobb's battery,
under the command of Lieutenant Gracey, who assisted handsomely
in repelling the- enemy.

At the request of the brigade commanders, the artillery of the divis-
had been ordered to report to the brigades with which they were ac-
customed to serve. Cobb's battery, from the nature of the ground,
could not participate to its accustomed exteut, yet, as opportunity af-
forded, it displayed its accustomed gallantry. The excellent battery
of Captain Mabane, for the same reason, was able to take little part in
the action.

The afternoon was waning and the enemy still obstinately con-
fronted us in his entrenchments. I received permission from Lieu-
tenant General Hill to make another charge. A lino of troops on
my right, and covering a part of my front, advanced at the same
time. A portion of these troops obliqued to the right, and my line
passed through the rest, who seemed to be out of ammunition, so that
after moving a few hundred yards the enemy alone was in my front.
The division was advanced with intrepidity, under a severe fire, and
dashed over the left of the entrenchments. ■ In passing them, 1 saw
on my left the right of Major General Cleburne, whose brave di-
vision stormed the centre. Several hundred of the enemy ran through
our lines to the rear ; the rest were pursued several hundred yards,
and beyond the Chattanooga road. JJi these some were killed and a
good many taken prisoners, but mostof thein escaped in the darkness.

It was now night ; pursuit was stopped by order of General Hill, and,
throwing out pickets. I bivouacked in line, near the road.

The prisoners taken by my command during the day, of whom
there was a considerable number, were allowed to go to the rear, since
details could not be spared for them, and it was known they would be
gathered up there.

The division captured nine pieces of artillery. I am aware that
it is usually the whole army, not a part of it, that takes guns from
the enemy, and that often the troops who obtain possession of them
owe their good fortune quite as much to fire from the right and left
a9 to their own efforts ; yet I think it duo to my command to say that,
in regard to at least six of these guns, such considerations do not
apply, and that they were taken without assistance from any other
troops.

My total casualties, as shown by official reports, amounted to
twelve hundred and forty, of which number one hundred and sixty-
six were killed, nine hundred and nine wounded, and one hun-
dred and eixty-fire missing.

Tu Brigadier General Stovall, to Colonel Lewis, who succeeded to
the command of Helm's brigade, and to Colonel R. L. Gibson, who
succeeded to the command of Adams' brigade, the country is indebted
for the courage and skill with which they discharged their arduous
duties. '

The officers and men of the division, with exception? so rare as to
place in striking contrastfto them the general good conduct, sustained
their former reputation, and were alike worthy of each other.

To the gentlemen of my staff, I feel sincere gratitude for the*
prompt, fearless, and cheerful manner in which they discharged their
duties. Major Wilson, assistant adjutant general ; Colonel Van
Z'.nken, A. A. G., who had two horses shot under him ; Captain
Martin, A I. G.,who received a contusion from a grape shot ; Lieu-
tenant Breckinridge, aid-de-camp, whose horse was shot ; Captain
Semple, ordnance officer ; Lieutenant Bertus, (twentieth Louisiana.)
A. A. I. G ; Dr. Heustis, chief surgeon; Dr. Kratz, on duty in
the field, and Messrs. McGehee, Coleman, Mitchell, and Clay, volun-
teers on my staff, performed their duties in a manner to command
my confidence and regard.

One member of my staff I cannot thank. Major R. E. Graves,
chief of artillery, received a mortal wound in the action of Sunday,
the 20tb. Although a very young man, he had won eminence in
arms, and he gave promise of the highest distinction. A truer friend,
a purer patriot, a better soldier never lived.

I am, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN 0. BRECKINRIDGE,

Mujor General A. 0. S.

REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL P. R. CLEBURNE.

Headquarters Cleburne's Division, Hill's Corps,

Missionary Ridge, near Chattanooga, >
October 18, 1863. S
To Lieutenant Colonel Archer Anderson,

Assistant Adjutant General IliWs Corps :

Colonel: I have the honor to report tho operations of my divis-
ion in the battle of Chickarcauga, fought on Saturday and Sunday
the 19th and 20th of September, 1863: r'

During the afternoon of Saturday, the 19th ultimo, I moved mv
division in a westerly direction across the ChickauAuga river at Led-
ford's ford, and having received orders to report to Lieutenant Gen-
eral Polk, commanding the right wing of the army, I did so, and was
directed by him to form a second line in rear of the ri^ht of the line
already in position. Accordingly, soon after sunset, my division was
formed, partially en echefon, about three hundred yards in rear of the
right line. My right rested in front of a steam saw mill, known as
Jay s mill, situated on a small stream running between the Chicka-
rnauga and the road leading from Chattanooga to Lafayette My line
extended from the saw mill almost due south for nearly a mile front
ing to the west. Polk's brigade, with Calvert's battery, commanded
by Lieutenant Thomas J. Key, composed my right wing; Wood's
brigade, with Scrapie's battery, my centre and Deshler's' brigade
with Douglass' battery, my left *ing. I now received orders from
Lieutenant General Hill to advance, passing over the line which had
been repulsed, and drive back the enemy's left wing. In my front were
open woods, with the exception of a 'clearing (fenced in) in front of
my centre, the ground sloping upwards as we advanced. Ordering
the brigades to direct themselves by Wood's (the centre) brigade and
preserve brigade distance, I. moved forward, passing ovcr°the'fir«t
line, and was in a few moments heavily engaged along my right and
centre lhe enemy, posted behind hastily constructed breastworks
opened a heavy fire of both small arms and artillery. For half an
hour the firing was the heaviest I had ever hear&; it was dark how-
ever, and accurate shooting was impossible. Each party was aiming
at the flashes of the other's guns, and few of the shot from either side
took effect Major llotchkiss, my chief of artillery, placed Polk's and
Wood s artillery m position in the cleared field in front of my centre
Availing themselves of the noise and the darkness, Captain Sernple
and Lieutenant Key ran their batteries forward within sixty yards of
the enemy s hue and opened a rapid fire. Polk pressed forward at
the same moment on the right, when the enemy ceased firing and
quickly disappeared from my front. There was some confusion at the
time necessarily inseparable, however, from a night attack This
and the difficulty of moving my artillery through the woods in the
dark, rendered a further advance inexpedient for the night I con

scquently halted and, after readjusting ray lines, threw out skirmish-
ers a quarter of a mile in advance, and bivouacked. In this conflict,
the enemy was driven back about a mile and a half. He left in my
hands two or three pieces of artillery, several caissons, two or three
hundred prisoners, and the colors of the seventy-seventh Indiana and
those of the seventy-ninth Pennsylvania.

At about ten o'clock, next morning, I received orders from Lieu-
tenant General Hill to advance and dress on the line of Gen. Breck-
inridge, who had been placed on my right. Accordingly, directing
each brigade to dress upon the right and preserve its distance, I moved
forward. Breckinridge was already in motion. The effort to over-
take and dress upon him caused hurry and some contusion in my line,
which was necessarily a long one. Before the effects of this could be
rectified, Tolk's brigade, and the right of Wood's encountered the
heaviest artillery fire I have ever experienced. I was now within
short canister range of a line of log breastworks, and a hurricane of
shot and shell swept the woods from the unseen enemy in my front.
This deadly fire was direct, and came from that part of the enemy's
breastworks opposite to my right and right centre. The rest of my
line, stretching off to the left, received an oblique fire from the line
of breastworks which, at a point opposite my centre, formed a retiring
angle, running off towards the Chattanooga and Lafayette road behind.
The accompanying map, showing the shape of the enemy's line of
works opposite my line, will explain our relative positions. Upon re-
ference to it, it will be seen that opposite to my right and right centre
the enemy's works ran about a half a mile north and south, and nearly
parallel to the Chattanooga and Lafayette road, which was aboutthree
hundred yards behind ; that at a point opposite my centre his works
formed, as before stated, a retiring angle, running in a westerly and
somewhat oblique direction to the Chattanooga and Lafayette road ;
and that at a point nearly opposite my right, his works formed ano-
ther retiring angle, running back also to the road. My right and
right centre, consisting of Polk's brigade and Lowry's regiment of
Wood's brigade, were checked within one hundred and seventy-five
yards of the advance part of this portion of the enemy's works, and
the rest of the line were halted in compliance with the order previ-
ously given, to dress* upon the right. Passing towards the left at
this time, I found that the line of advance of my division which
was the left of the right wing of the army, converged with the line of
advance of the left wing of the army ; the flanks of the two wings
had already come in collision, part of Wood's brigade had passed
over Bate's brigade, of Stewart's division, which was the right
of the left wing, and Peshler's brigade, which formed my left, had
been thrown out entirely, and was in rear of the left wing of the
army. I ordered Wood to move forward the remainder of his brigade,
opening at the same time in the direction of the enemy's fire with
Semple's battery. That part of Wood's brigade to the left of Lowry's
regiment, and to the left of the southern angle of the breastworks in
its advance at this time, entered an old field, bordering the Chatta-
nooga and Lafayette road, and attempted to cross it in the face of a

heavy fire from works in its front ; it had almost reached the road,
its left being at Poe's house, (known as the burning house,) when it
was driven back by a heavy oblique fire of small arms and artillery,
which was opened upon both. its flanks; the fire from the right coming
from the south face of the breastworks, which was hid from view by
the thick growth of scrub oaks bordering the field. Five hundred
men were killed and wounded by this fire in a few minutes. Upon
this repulse, Lowry's regiment having also in the meantime been
forced to retire, I ordered the brigade still further back to reform.
Semple's battery, which had no position, I also ordered back. I now
moved Deshlcr's brigade by the right flank, with the intention of con-
necting it with Polk's left, so filling the gap lelt in my centre by the
withdrawal of Wood. This connection, however, I could not estab-
lish, as Polk's left had, in its turn been also driven back. Finding it
a useless sacrifice of life for Polk to retain his position, I ordered him
to fall back with the rest of his line, and with his and Wood's brigade!
I took up a strong defensive position, some three or four hundred
yards in rear of tho point from which they had been repulsed. Desh-
ler s brigade had moved forward towards the right of the enemy's ad-
vanced works, but could not go beyond the crest of a low ridge from
which Lowry had been repulsed, I therefore ordered him to cover
himself behind the ridge and hold his position as long as possible.
His brigade was now C7i echelon about four hundred yards in front of
the left of the rest of the division, which here rested for some hours.
In effecting this last disposition of his command General Deshler
fell, a shell passing fair through his chest. It was the first battle in
which#this gentleman had the honor of commanding as a general offi-
cer. He was a brave and efficient one. He brought always to the
discharge of his duty a warm zeal and a high conscientiousness.
The army and tho country will long remember him.

At about half-past three o'clock, P. M , I received orders from
Lieutenant General Polk to move forward on a line with my left,
Deshler connecting my right with Jackson's brigade, and, when 1 had
formed my line, to remain and hold the position. I accordingly ad-
vanced with my centre and right wing, drowe in the enemy's skirmish-
ers, and forced his line behind the works from which he had
repulsed us in the ' morning. The left wing of the army had been
driving the enemy ; the right wing now attacked. Lieutenant Gen-
eral Polk ordering me to advance my hoavy batteries and open on the
enemy, Captain Semple, my acting chief of artillery, (Major Hotch-
kiss, my chief of artillery, being disabled by a wound received the
day before,) selected positions in front of the line, and placed his own
and Douglass' batteries within two hundred yards of the enemy's
breastworks, and opened a rapid and most effective fire, silencing im-
mediately a battery which had been playing upon my lines. About
the same time, Brigadier General Polk charged and soon carried the
northwestern angle of the enemy's works, taking, in succession, three
lines of breastworks. In these brilliant operations he was materially
nided by Key's battery, and towards its close by Douglass' battery,
which had again been moved by my orders to my extreme right, where

it was run into position by hand. A large number of prisoners (reg-
ulars) were here captured. The enemy abandoned his works and re-
tired precipitately. Brigadier General Polk pursued to the Chatta-
nooga and Lafayette road, where he captured another piece of artil-
lery. I here^received directions from Lieut. Gen. Hill to halt my com-
mand until further orders. I cannot close this report without an ac-
knowledgment of distinguished services rendered by various officers
and men, which would otherwise pass unnoticed. I have already in-
cidentally called attention to the gallant conduct of Brigadier Gene-
ral Polk, but it is due to him and to the country, which wishes to ap-
preciate its faithful servants, to say that to the intrepidity and sterj).
determination of purpose of himself and men I was principally in-
debted for the success of the charge on Sunday evening, which drove
the enemy from his breastworks and gave us the battle. Colonel
Mills, also, is entitled to be remembered. Leading his regiment
through the battle until the fall of his brigadier, the lamented Desh-
ler, he was then called by seniority to command the brigade, which
he did with gallantry and intelligence.

To my staff, Major Calhoun Benham, assistant adjutant general,,
(who received a contusion in the right shoulder from a grape shot or
fragment of shell;) Captain Irving A. Buck, assistant adjutant gene-
ral, (whose horse was shot under him ;) Major Joseph K. Dixon, as-
sistant inspector general ; Captain B. F. Phillips, assistant inspector
general; Lieutenant J. W. Jetton, aid-de-camp and acting assistant
inspector general ; Major T. R. Hotchkiss, chief of artillery, who re-
ceived a wound from a uainie ball in the foot on Saturday, which de-
prived me of his valuable services afterwards ; Capt. Henry C. Sample,
who icplaced Major Hotchkiss as chief of artillery, when disabled ;
Capt. C. F. Vandeford, chief of ordnance ; Lieut. L. H. Mangum, aid-
de-camp, and Lieut. S. P. Hanly, aid decamp, (who received a con-
tusion from a grape shot,) I am indebted for the faithful and indefati-
gable manner in which they performed their vital, though perhaps not
showy, duties throughout these operations. M;ijor T. It. Hotchkiss,
chief of artillery; C: ptain Seraple, with his battery, and Lieutenant
Thomas J. Key, comman<iing Calvert's battery, rendered invaluable
service, and exhibited the highest gallantry on Saturday night in run-
ning their pieces up, as they did, within sixty yards of the enemy. In
this they were ably sustained by Lieutenant Richard Goldthwaite. of
Semplu's battery. Here Major Hotchkiss received his wound. Cap-
tain Semple also displayed skill and judgment as acting chief of ar-
tillery, particularlarly in the selection of a position for his own and
Douglass' batteries on Sunday evening, which gave an oblique fire
upon the enemy in his works, contributing to the success of the final
charge by Polk's brigade. Captain 0. S. Palmer, assistant adjutant
general of Wood's brigade, was conspicuous for his coolness and at-
tention to duty on the field, and has my thanks. I am much indebted
also to Dr. A. Linthicum, chief surgeon of my division. The com-
pleteness of his arrangements, his careful supervision of subordinates,
both on the field, under fire, and elsewhere, and in the hospital, se-
cured our gallant wounded prompt attention, and all the alleviation

•
oF pain attainable in the exigencies of battle. Surgeon A. R. Ers-
fcine (then actjng, now actual medical inspector of ray division) ren-
dered most efficient service. Ass't Surgeon, Alfred B. DeLoach par-
ticularly distinguished himself by his unselfish devotion, going re-
peatedly far forward under fire, and among the skirmishers, to attend
*he wounded. James P. Brady and Melvin Overstreet, privates in the
Buckner Guards, (my escort,) specially detailed to attend me through
the battle, went vith me wherever my duty called me. Brady was
wounded in the hand. Overstreet had hi3 horse shot. To Captain
C. F. Yaudeford, my chief of ordnance, my thanks ;:re specially due.
His trains were always in the best order, and in the most accessible
position, and to his care' in this respect I am indebted for a prompt
eupply of ammunition in every critical emergency which arose. I
carried into action on Saturday, the 1 9trv, five thousand one hundred
»nd fifteen officers and men, four thousand eight hundred and seventy-
five bayonets. On Sunday, the 20th, I carried in four thousand
»ix hundred and seventy-one officers and men, four thousand four hun-
dred and thirty-seven bayonets. In the two days my casualties were
two hundred and four killed, fifteen hundred and thirty-nine wounded,
fix missing, making in all one thousand seven hundred and forty-nine.
Respectfully,

I\ R. CLEBURNE,
4 Major General.

REPORT OF MAJOR GEKLRAL T. C. HINDMA2S". '

Atlanta, Ga., October 25, 1863.

Lieutenant Colonel G. M. Sotirf.l,

A. A. General IjongstreeVs Corps :

Colonel: Sickness prevented me from exercising command on
Saturday, September 19th, until about throe, P. M. My division bad
then just crossed the Chiekamauga at Hunt's ford, and was soon after
ordered to the support of Major General Hood The order was exe-
cuted under a heavy aitillery fire from the enemy, causing some loss.
My position vras on Hood's left and Buckncr's right, near the centre
of the left wing of the army, facing west, parallel with the Lafayette
and Chattanooga road, six or eight hundred yards distant. The brig-
ades of Peas and Manigault constituted my first line, and Anderson's
my reserve. Nothing important happened during the remainder of
the day. After dark, in the readjustment of my line, a sharp skir-
mish occurred on Manigault'3 left, the enemy retiring.

About eleven, A. M., on Sunday, September 2('th, under orders
from Lieutenant General Longstreet, commanding the left wing, my
command moved forward simultaneously with the troops on my right.
At tho distance of three hundred yards, skirmishing commenced and
immediately my whole line was engaged. Rushing on at the double-
quick, through a storm of bullets, shot and shell, Deas' brave Ala-
bamians and Manigault's Alabamians and South Carolinians, equally
brave, drove the enemy from his breastworks, then pushed his beyond
the Lafayette road, and charged his second line of breastworks three
hundred yards further on. The troops on Manigault's left not advanc-
i ng with him, he was enfiladed on that flank by infantry and artillery,
checked, and at length forced to retire. One gun of his battery,
temporarily disabled, was left exposed to capture, when Colonel J. 0.
Keid's twenty-eighth Alabama gallantly faced about and brought it
off in safety.

Deas swept like a whirlwind over the breastworks. Anderson's
fearless Mississippians carrying the breastworks in their front, moved
up rapidly on his left, to Manigault's place. Without halting, these
two brigades then drovo ike enemy across the Crawfish Spring road
and up the broken spurs of Missionary ridge, to it3 first elevation,
one hundred yards west. Hiding behind this, the enemy opened a
tremendous fire of musketry and cannon upon our line as it advanced,
and at the same time enfiladed it from an eminence in a field on the
right. But, without faltering, he was charged, driven from his strong
position, and pursued upwards of three-quarters of a mile, when he
ceased resisting and disappeared, going north, completely routed. A
body of Federal cavalry, covering the retreat of the infantry, made a
demonstration against my right, but retired hastily when about to 'be
attacked.

Meantime Manigault sent back for and received the snpport of
Trigg's brigade, of Buckner's corps, and, with it, compelled the rapid
retreat of the force in his front.

Tbe fifteenth Alabama regiment, of General Law's command, which
had lost its direction, fired on Deas' right, but upon discovering the
mistake, moved up and fought gallantly with him.

I now sent staff officers to the right and left, and ascertained that my
advance was nearly a mile further west than any other troops of the
left wing, none of which had yet reached the Crawfish Spring r >ad.
To my right and roar there was hot firing. I determined to move
there, and gave the necessary orders directing the command to march
northeast to the Lafayette road, till the position of our troops then
engaged should be ascertained. This wns to avoid the possibility of
collision with friendly forces, and to gain tirae'for reforming portions
of my command disordered by their rapid pursuit of the enemy.

In the splendid advance which I have attempted to describe, through
noods and fields and over a part of Missionary ridge, against the
troops of Sheridan's and J. C. Davis' divisions, seventeen pieces of
Federal artillery were captured by my division, fourteen of which
were taken into possession and conveyed to the rear by Captain Waters,
acting chief of artillery, and three pieces by Major Riby, chief of ord-
nance. Since the battle, I have been informed that a staff officer from
army headquarters found ten pieces abandoned in a gorge in front of
my position, west of the Crawfish Spring road. The number of pris-
oners exceeded eleven hundred, including threo colonels. The ground
was strewn with small arms, of which fourteen hundred were collected.
Vive or six standards, five caissons and one battery wagon, one ambu-
lance, about forty horses and mules, and nine ordnance wagons, with
one hundred and sixty-five thousand rounds of ammunition, were also-
secured. The numerous wounded and dead of the enemy fell into our
hands. Among the latter was Brigadier General Lytle, of the Fede-
ral army, killed by Deas' brigade.

While moving to the right and rear, I was met by a staff officer of
Brigadier General Bnshrod Johnston, and afterwards by that officer
himself, stating that he was hard pressed and must have support forth-
with or he would be compelled to fall back. I immediately placed An-
derson's brigade under his orders.

Deas, who was out of ammunition, obtained a partial supply from
Johnston's wagons, and then marched west across the Crawfish Spring
road and formed line of battle, facing west, at the top of the first
ridge beyond His skirmishers became engaged immediately with
those of a force of the enemy occupying the next ridge. Manigault,
now coming up, was directed to form on Deas' right. I believed the
force in my front to be the same that I had previously routed, making
its way towards Chattanooga and designed cutting it off and capturing
it. But at this juncture, before Manigault's line had been established,
brisk firing had commenced to tny right and rear, east of the Crawfish
Spring road, and 1 received from General Johnston urgent requests
for further support. Deas and Manigault at once moved in that di«

rection and formed on his left. Privious to their arrival the firing had
?eased.

General Johnston's line faced nearly north, about perpendicular to
the Lafayette road and to pur original line of battle. It was the
side of an extremely rough and steep projection of Missionary ridge,
near Dyer's farm, and was extended eastwardly by the lines of Ander-
son and Kershaw. The height terminated in an open field, near Ker-
shaw's right. It was elsewhere densely wooded. The enemy held the
summit in strong force, his artillery planted on sundry 6udden eleva-
tions rising up like redoubts; his in fab try between these, behind the
crest, and further sheltered by breastw< rks of trees and rocks.

At three, P. M., a force of the enemy, probably that which I had
recently confronted west of the Crawfish Spring road, appeared on
my left, captuiing several men of my infirmary corps and others who
had fallen out from fatigue or wounds. I was apprehensive of an
attack in rear, and sent to General Longstreet and General Buckner
for reinforcements At the same time, being the officer of higher
Tank present, and deeming concert of action necessary, I assumed
command of General Johnston's troops, and ordered an immediate and
vigorou- attack upon the enemy in our front — Deas arid Manigault,
with Johnston's command, all under direction of that officer, to wheel
to the right until faced east, and then to advance, taking the enemy
in flank; Anderson to move forward when the firing should begin.
General Kerthaw agreed to conform to the movements of the latter.
I hoped to ensure the capture or destruction of the enemy by driving
iim in confusion upon the right wing of our army.

The movement began at half-past three. Skirmishing ex-
tended along the whole line as Deas, at the extreme left, commenced
swinging. In a few minutes a terrific contest ensued, which continued
at close quarters, without any intermission, over four hours. Our
troops attacked again and again, with a courage worthy of their past
achievements. The enemy fought with determined obstinaey, and
repeatedly repulsed us, but only to be again assailed. As showing
the fierceness of the fight, the fact is mentioned that, on our extreme
left, the bayonet was used, and the men also killed and wounded with
olubbed muskets. A little after four the enemy was reinforced and
advanced, with loud shouts, upon our right, but was repulsed by An-
derson and Kershaw. At this time it became necessary to retire
Garrity's battery, of Anderson's brigade, which had been doing effec-
tive service. It was subsequently held in reserve. Dent's battery,
of Deas' brigade, was engaged throughout the struggle. Notwith-
standing the repulses of our infantry, the officers and men of this
battery stood to their guns undaunted, and continued firing, inflicting
severe loss on the enemy, and contributing largely to the success of
ay operations.

At twenty minutes after four Brigadier General Preston, of Buck-
ner's corps, in answer to my application for help, brought me the timely
and valuable reinforcements of Kelly's brigade, and, within an hour
afterwards, the remaining brigades of his division, Grade's and Triggs'.
These brave troope, as they arrived, were conducted by officers of my

etaif, to the riglit of my line, and promptly advanced, in conjunction
vsith the rest, upon the enemy. From this time we gained ground,
but, though commanding nine brigades, with Kershaw's co-operating,
and all in action, I found the gain both slow and costly. I have
aever known Federal troops to fight so well. It is just to say, also,
that I never saw Confederate soldiers fight better.

Between half past seven and eight, P. M., the enemy was driven
from his position, surrendering to the gallant Preston six, or seven
hundred prisoners, with five standards, and many valuable arras. One
piece of artillery, two or three wagons, and about Gfty prisoners, fell
into the hands of Deas' brigade. This was the victorious ending of
the battle of Chickamanga.

At eleven, P. M., suffering much pain from an injury received
about midday, I relinquished to Brigadier General Anderson the com-
mand of my division.

The usual commendatory expressions would almost .seem to cheapen
the services of the officers and men of my immediate command during
the day, and those who fought with us in the afternoon. The relation
of what they performed ought to immortalize them. For signal gal-
lantry and efficiency the army and country are indebted to Brigadier
Generals Preston and Johnston, and their several brigade commanders ;
a'so to Brigadier General Kershaw, and the three brigade commanders
of my division, Anderson, Deas and Manigault. Without the decided
success which they won on Dyer's Hill, Chickamauga would not have
been a victory, unless sifter another day of fighting and slaughter.

On the same roil of honor should be inscribed the names of the
chivalrous staff officers, the devoted officers of the regiments and
companies, and the heroic rank and file. The reports of my subordi-
nates mention many of each grade who distinguished themselves.
Not a few of them fell gloriously, and now rest on the field ; others
bear honorable wounds, and others fortunately remained unhurt. I
respectfully ask attention to the records of their conspicuous bravery,
and that the appropriate rewards of valor be conferred on them.

The following staff officers were with me on the field:

Colonel C. W. Adams, assistant adjutant and inspector general and
chief of staff.

Major J. P. Wilson, assistant adjutant general.

Captain Walker Anderson, acting assistant adjutant general.

Lieutenant B. F. Williams, aid-de-camp.

Captain D. D. Waters, acting chief of artillery.

Captain J. F« Waltcn, provost marshal.

Captain Lenoir, and Lieutenants Gordon and Lee, of my cavalry
escort, also acted on my staff during the engagement.

The conduct of all these officers was in the highest degree soldierly,
and their services most valuable. They have ray thanks and deserve
the confidence of their superiors. Colonel Adams especially, by his
greater experience, his cool courage, and his admirable promptness
and precision, has placed me under lasting obligations, and amply
shown his fitness for higher rank, which 1 earnestly hope will be giver,
him.

Major E. B. D. Riley, chief of ordnance, was veiy efficient in his
department, having his trains almost constantly at band, and supply-
ing every call for ammunition with the least possible delay.

Major J. C. Palnir, C. S., performed his duties in the most satis-
factory manner, providing the command with cooked rations during
the battle, and the movements preliminary to it, with almost as much
regularity as if prepared by the men themselves in camp. In this he
was efficiently aided by Captain S. M. Lanirr, assistant quarterns. --
ter, an officer always ready and willing, and whoso qualifications and
services fairly entitle him to promotion.

Chief Surgeon C. Terry was prompt and efficient to the utmost
extent of the means at his disposal.

Lieutenant L. P. Dodge, aid-dc-camp, was disabled by being thrown
from his horse before the battle commenced, and was not afterward*
with me.

The strength of my division, on going into action, was five hundred
and one officers, and five thousand six hundred and twenty-one
enlisted men.

My loss in officers was sixteen killed, eighty-one wounded, and one
missing; in enlisted men, two hundred and fifty-six killed, one thou-
sand three hundred and ninety-nine wounded, and ninety-seven miss-
ing Whole loss, two" hundred and seventy-two killed, one thousand
four hundred and eighty wounded, and ninety-eight missing.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

T. G. IUNDMAN,

M"jor General.

REIO?vT OF MAJOR GENERAL WALKER, COMMANDING
RESERVE CORPS.

Headquarters Division, }
Near Chattanooga, Tenn., October 18, 1363. $

Lieutenant Colonel George Wm. Brent,

Assistant Adjutant General:

Colonel: The reports of the commanding officers of brigades and
divisions'having been received, I hastened to forward them to head-
quarters, together with my report as commander of the reserve c<yps :

On the 18th of October, I was ordered by the commanding General
to cross the Chickamauga at Alexanders bridge, if practicable, if not,
to cross at Byron's foul, about one and a half miles below. Before
reaching the bridge, I was informed that I would have to fight for it,
a? it was held by the enemy. General Liddell, commanding division,
was ordered to advance with Walthall's and Govan's brigades. (Colo-
nel Govan commanded General Lid Jell's brigade.) General Walthall
advanced upon the bridge, and became engaged with the enemy, and,
after a short and sharp encounter, took the bridge, which was torn up
by the enemy, making it necessary for the command to cross at B}T-
ron's ford. Colonel Govan's skirmishers were also engaged. Ector's
and Wilson's brigades were held in reserve, and not engaged. By-
ron's ford was crossed at night by the troops, but tbe ordnance
wagons, in consequence of the rocky and uneven nature of the ford,
were not crossed until morning. Colonel Wilson's brigade was left
to guard the' wagons, and the rest of the command bivouacked about a
mile from the ford. I received an order that night to report to Gen-
eral Hood's command.

Early in the morning, General Forrest asked for a brigade of in-
fantry, and the commanding General (General Bragg) directed me to
order a brigade to report to him. Shortly afterwards, hearing firing,
I remarked to the commanding General (General Bragg) that I
thought Wilson's brigade was engaged, and that I would hasten to it.
He directed me to attack with all the force I had. [General Liddell
labors under a misapprehension in the first part of his report, when
he speaks of my sending for orders and making a reconnoissance.
had been on the field before I saw General Liddell, and had received
orders from the commanding General (as I state in my report) before
I went on the field, and was satisfied of the large force of the enemy,
and sent for reinforcements before I met him. When I did meet him
we bad some conversation about the forces, etc., which I do not re-
member. He is mistaken in regard to time.] On reaching tbe ground
I found that Wilson's and Ector's brigades (having also been taken by
Forrest, without any authority from me) were heavily pressed and,
from the greatly superior numbers of the enemy, were compelled to
fall back. I refer you to Colonel Wilson's report for the part his
brigade took in tbe action. General Ector is absent, his brigade
having been ordered to AlJesissippi ; and I have no report from him,

■
but hie brigade acted with the greatest gallantry. I ordered Lid-
dell's division up as soon as I reached the ground, and they came up
as quickly as possible, formed in liue of battley and moved up in gal-
lant style and attacked the enemy. I refer you to General LiddeH'a
report and to General Walthall's and Colonel Govan's for particulars.
This division, too, after a desperate and gallant struggle had to fall
back Discovering, on my arrival on the ground, that ray command
had encountered a heavy force. I sent immediately back to the com-
manding General for reinforcements. About one o'clock General
Cheatham came up, and was informed by me where his division was
needed. I refer you to his own report for his part in the action.
About five, P. M., (I had no watch, but this was about the
time,) General Polk came up and took command, and my command
acted under his orders. I am satisfied that there were more than
Thomas' corps engaged; and all northern accounts state that parts of
Crittenden's and McCook's were engaged. The unequal contest of
four brigades against such overwhelming odds is unparalleled in thi3
revolution, and the troops deserve immortal honor for the part tome
in the action. Only soldiers flighting for all that is dear to freemen
could attack, he driven, rally and attack agnin such superior forces.
Two lines of battle of the enemy were broken in the first attack by
Wilson; and when he was compelled to retire from the front of the
breastworks which the enemy hud fallen behind, the fight was taken
up by Liddell's division and the enemy's line broken again, when ho
again took refuge behind his breastworks and Liddell was compelled
to fall back. The troops were rapidly formcJ agaioy and the unequal
contest was carried on from between nine and ten, A. M., by my
command until about half past one. P. M., when, as* -I have said,
Cheatham's division came up. In the afternoon, at about five o'clock,
my command was ordered by General Polk to support Cleburne. Gen-
eral P. will doubtless report what then happened.

1 was directed, Saturday night, by General Polk (to whom I was
then ordered to report) to hold my reserve corps in readiness to sup-
port an attack upon the enemy, which would take place at daylight,
and to support Cheatham's division. I was on the ground at day-
light ready for the attack. The attack was not made at that time,
and between about nine and ten I was ordered, instead of supporting
Cheatham, to support Hill's corps, a part of the right wing, (com-
manded by Polk,) triform my reserve so as to echelon Breckinridge, who
was on the right of Hill's corps. Before I got into my position, and
whilst marching by the flank to gain the ground to the right, I was
sent for by General Ilili to his support. General Polk was with my
command when I received the order, I marched rapidly forward ia
line of battle, part of the time at double-quick, and reported to Gen-
eral Hill. General Polk was with me. General Hill informed me, on
my arrival, that he wanted a brigade. I told him there was one imme-
diately bi hind him. Ho remarked he wanted Gist's brigade. I in-
formed him that it was to the left and had juiit come up, (General
Gist had, a few moments before, been put in command, by me, of
General Ector's and Colonel Wilson's brigades, and Colonel Colquitt

bad command of Gist's brigade.) He ordered General Gist's brigade-
immediately into the fight in rear of Breckinridge, a part of whose
division had fallen back, and the whole of which was hard pressed. I
refer you to General Gist's report for the performance of his command.

General Walthall was detached to the left to the support of Briga-
dier General Polk, by Hill or Folk. My command being thus dis-
posed of, brigades being sent in to take the places of divisions, my
only occupation was to help form the detached portions of my com-
mand as they came out from a position. I felt certain they would
have to leave when they were pent in. My division comman 'ers re-
ceived their orders direct from General Hill, and 1 refer you to their
reports.

Breckinridge's division having fallen back, and General Hill having
reported Cleburne's division, on Breckinridge's left, r >uted, rny re-
serve corps having fallen back in detachments, in which they were
sent in, and a calurnn having been observed marching dfewn the Chat-
tanooga road, on our right, I was compelled to insist on having some-
thing to do with my own command. With our right flank exposed to
their advancing column, the reported gap that the withdrawal of
Cleburne had made on the left, 1 was in favor of forming the com-
mand in a strong position about one hundred and fifty or two hundred
yards in rear of us, until we ascertained positively the condition of
cur flai ks, and then make, the best disposition of the combined force
did Btiike the enemy to the best advantage. General Hill, dirlVring
with me, ordered his lines cf battle, one at right angles to the other.
General Breckinridge being at right angles to mine, he facing south-
ward to oppose the force then coming from Chattanooga, and 1 facing
westward toward the enemy we had been fighting. We were in this posi-
tion when one of General Polk's aids rode up and told General Hill
that Genera! iJolk bad directed him to order General Hill peremptorily
to advance immediately on the enemy. General Gist was then ordered,
by me, to move his division in the direction of the enemy, and Gen-
eral Liddell's division was ordered onyhis right. Generals Bteekin-
ridge and Cheatham were in rear and on General Gist's left. The
command marched forward. I refer you to General Gist's and Gene-
ral Liddell's reports for the result.

My command bivouacked on the battle-field, and the enemy re-
treated in the direction of Chattanooga.

1 owe it to myself, and to the gallant command under me, to state
that when 1 reported to General Hill, had he permitted me to fight
my reserve corps according to my own judgment, and bad not disin-
tegrated it, as he did, by sending it in detachments, I would have
formed my five batteries on the left flank of the enemy toward
the Chattanooga road, and opened fire upon the enemy's flank, and
would have cither pushed them forward, supported by infantry, or
have matched past them with my combined force, and 1 feel satisfied
thalPtbe enemy's left would have been carried much easier than it was,
and many a gallant man have been saved, and the enemy's retreat in-
tercepted.

I refer the commanding General to the reports of the division and
brigade commanders for the conduct of their officers on the held.

In the three days' fighting I had the honor to command the gallant
reserve corps. 1 witnessed nothing but a heroism that was worthy
n battling for their freedom. To the- division arid brigade com-
manders, General Gist, commanding division composed of General
Gist's, General Ector's and Colonel Wilson's brigades, and General
Liddell, commanding division composed of General Walthall's and
Qolonel Govan's brigades, 1 have only to say that the brigadier gene-
ral- fought with a gallantry that entitle them to division command?, and
the colonels commanding biigades with an obstinacy and courage that
entitle them to the rani; of I rigadier generals. The conduct of col-
onels, commanders of batteries, line officers and privates is recoidod
by their respective commanders.

I may be permitted in my own division, which was commanded on
Sunday by General Gist, to state that Colonel Wilson, who com-
manded a brigs le on both Saturday and Sunday, and acted with great
distinction, and who is the oldest colonel from Georgia, is entitled,
from long Bervice with the brigade and from gallant conduct, to the
command of the Georgia brigade he now commands iu the capacity of
.dier general; and that the gallant Stevens, of Gist's brigade,
(who was severely wounded,) from what I know of his capacity as an
officer, from his gallantry on the field, and from his devotion to the
cause, would grace any position that might be conferred.

To my staff, Captain J. B. Cumming, assistant adjutant general,
Captain S. II Crump, assistant inspector general, Lieutenants Lamar
and Kenan, aids-de-camp, Lieutenant Magruder, ordnance officer, v. ho
was on the field with me, and Captain M. II. Tall but, volunteer aid,
I am indebted for distinguished and galhint service on the field, and
to Captain Troup, assistant adjutant general, who was dangerously
wounded whilst carrying an order in the thickest of the tight. From
the character of the fighting, on both Saturday and Sunday, they were
greatly exposed, and bore themselvea as became gentlemen and sol-
diers fighting for all that is dear.

For the gallant dead we can but mourn. The noble, brave and
chivalrous Colquitt, who fell in command of Gist's brigade, was a sol-
dier and a gentleman, a christian and a friend. I hope I will be ex-
cused for paying, in my report, a tribute to his worth.

A map of the field and a list of casualties will accompany this
report.

Gregg's brigade, which now forms a part of Walker's division, re-
potted during the battle to Major General Hood, whose official report
wills doubtless, give an account of its operations. I am proud to hear
it behaved with great gallantry.

I am, Colonel, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

W. 11. T. WALKER,*
M<>jor Genual commandi?^ Division.

REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL JOSEPH WHEELER.

Headquarters Cavalry Corps, )

October 30th, 1SG3. 5
•

Colonel George W. Brrnt.

Assistant Adjutant General Army of Tennessee :
Colonel: Having been called upon to report the operations of my
command (.luring and incident upon the battle of Cbickamauga, I have
the honor to make the following statement of facts, in order simply to de-
signate the position of the command. I cannot, in justice to the offi-
cers and men, make a full official report, until the reports*of subordi-
nate commanders hove been received. I trust, however, this state-
ment will answer until a full report can be prepared :

On the 27th August my command, consisting of Wharton's and
Martin's divisions and Roddy's brigade, were stationed as follows :
Estis' regiment, of Wharton's division, picketing Tennessee river from
Bridgeport to Guntersville; Wade's regiment, Martin's division, frora
Guntersville to Decatur, and detachments from Roddy's brigade from
Decatur to the mouth of Bear creek. The main body of Wharton's di-
vision was stationed near Rome, Ga ; of Martin's division near Alexan-
dra, Alabama, and'of Roddy's brigade near Tuscumbia, Alabama. Two
regiments of the corps were on detached duty with General Pillow.

On the 2?th Geneial Martin's command, numbering about twelve
hundred men, was ordered^ to Trenton, and General Whai ton's to
the vicinity of Chattanooga.

On the 29th, the enemy crossed the Tennessee river in force, driv-
ing back the pickets of Colonel Estis' regiment. About five hun-
dred men of General Mirtiu's division under Lieutenant Colonel Mai-
den, moved up Wills' valley and were placed on picket duty below
Chattanooga.

It now became evident that the onemy were moving two divisions
of cavalry and McCook's corps of infantry over Sand mountain and
into Wills' valley by the Caperton road. I was ordered to take post
in Brocmtown valley, for the purpose of picketing tho passes of Look-
out mountain. General Martin, with r.bout twelve hundred men,
guarded the passes from the Tennessee river to Neil's Gap, and Gen.
Wharton from Neil's Gap to Gadsden. These commands kept the en-
emy continually observed, and full reports concerning him were sev-
eral times each day sent to army headquarters. Several columns of
the enemy's cavalry were pushed over the mountain, all of which
wt re successfully driven back.

On the 12th September, McCook's corps of infantry and Stanley's
corps of cavalry moved over the mountain at Alpine, and, after a se-
vere fight, our cavalry (under Colonel Av*:ry, a most gallant and dis-
creet officer) was compelled to fall back.

Skirmishing continued nearly every day until the l?th, when I
was ordered to move into McLcmore'scove, by Dug and Catlett's gaps,
and attack the enemy, in order to make a demonstration in that di-

rection. We fought for some hours, driving the enemy for some dis-
tance, hut finally developed a force too large to be dislodged.

On the following day we moved to Owens' ford, onCfcickamauga river,
leaving heavy pickets at all the gaps of the mountain as far a3 Gadsden.

About two, P. M., I learned the enemy's cavalry were moving up
McLemnre's cove. I moved across the river and warmly assaileditheir
flank, dividing the column and driving the enemy in confusion in both
directions.

During the night I received orders to guard well all the passes of
the mountaiu and all the fords of the river down to Gen3ral Long-
street's left flank, and to attack the enemy at every opportunity which
presented itself. This order was complied with, and the remainder of
my force was concentrated at Glass' mill. A considerable force of the
enemy, with artillery, were deployed on the opposite bank, and warm
skirmishing commeucud. As soon as arrangements could be made, I
dismounted all my available, force, crossed and warmly assailed the
enemy, hoping that we might draw troops from the centre, and
thus create a diversion. After a short fight, the enemy wavered
}\ e charged him and drove a largely superior force fully two
miles to Crawfish Spring, killing and wounding large numbers
and taking thirty -five officers and men prisoners, besides the wounde I.
We were successful in creating the diversion, as the enemy thought
our advance a heavy flank movement, and reinforced this point hea-
vily. Tfte enemy, in his accounts of the battle, state that General
Longstreet Hanked him at this point at the hour we made the attack.
At this time I received orders to move my available force to Lee and
Gordon's mills, and attack the enemy. We arrived at that place about
three o'clock, P. ME., crossed the river, and vigorously assailed him.
After a short time, he commenced retreating in confusion. We fol-
lowed us rapidly as possible, capturing about one thousand prisoners,
twenty wagons, and a large amount of arms and ordnance stores.
About dark, we also captured five large hospitals, with a considerable
supply of medicines, camp equipage, and a great number of wounded
prisoners, besides overcome hundred surgeons. The pursuit was con-
tinued till two hours after nightfall, when we retired to feed our
horses.

Early on the morning of the 21st I detached two regiments, pur-
suant to orders, to pick up stragglers and arras, About nine, A. M.,
I received orders from General Longstreet to send a force of cavalry
to find the enemy's position. At the same time I received orders
from General Bragg, through Colonel McKinstry, to save the cap-
tured property. To accomplish both these objects, I detailed five
hundred" of my best mounted men, under Colonel Anderson, to com-
ply with General Longstreel's order, with full instructions to report
every hour to that officer. As previously stated, two regiments were
already at work collecting stragglers and arms, leaving with me but
about seventeen hundred men. Just at this time I received informa-
tion from my pickets at Owen's ford that the enemy, in large force,
was driving back our cavalry from that point. It was also reported
that the enemy had a large train of wagons with him. At the same

time I observed a heavy dust in Chattanooga valley, which appeared
to indicate a movement from Chattanooga, along the foot of Lookout
mountain, towards McLemore's cove, for the purpose of succoring the
command reported at Owen's ford. I immediately moved over to Chat-
tanooga valley and drove back towards Chattanooga the force \fchich
was marching from that place. I then left the eighth Texas rangers
and my escort to hold the enemy in check, while, with the balance of
the command, I moved up towards McLemore's cove.

After marching about five miles we met a large force of cavalry,
which, seeing the dust of our approach, had deployed a considerable
force in a strong position. 1 immediately deployed two regiments and
commenced skirmishing. Finding their position strong, I detached a
equadron to turn their right flank. This caused the enemy to waver,
when we charged in line and also in column on the road, driving him
in confusion. The enemy attempted to form a new line with his
reserves several times, but we met him with suc«4i force as to disperse
him each time, driving him before us. We continued the charge seve-
ral miles, capturing, killing, or dispersing nearly the entire command,
said to number about two thousand men. We secured immediately
upon the road only about four hundred. We also captured eighteen
stand of colors, and secured their entire train, numbering about ninety
wagons, loaded with valuable baggage. Many of the men who escaped
to the adjoining woods were picked up on the following morning, and
only about seventy- five men, half of whom were dismounted, suc-
ceeded in joining the Federal army. We aleo captured a number of
arms. The wagons and mules were turned over to the chief quarter-
master of array of Tennessee.

On the following morning, pursuant to orders, we pressed on to
wivhin one mile and a quarter of Chattanooga, driving the enemy's
etvalry behind his infantry. We remained in this position until night,
when, pursuant to orders, 1 proceeded towards Trenton, preparatory
to crossing the Tennessee river. After one day's march, I received
orders to return and sweep up Lookout mountain tc Point Lookout.
The order.was received at two, P. M., and I immediately started with
an advance guard of two hundred men, ordering the command to follow.

On arriving at Summertown at dark, I found one regiment of the
enemy behind stron : barricades. I dismounted my men to feel their
position and charged their flanks, driving them for some distance. In
this hasty retreat they left several guns, knapsacks, overcoats and
oooking utensils, also their supper already cooked. By that time I
learned that my command had been stopped and ordered to Chicka-
mauga station. I, however, with my small command, which numben d
one hundred^and five dismounted men, pressed the enemy off the
mountain.

After surveying the enemy's works, and reporting fully hie position
to the commanding General, I proceeded to Chickamauga station,
where I received orders to cross the Tennessee river above Chatta-
nooga. During the night, however, I received orders to move
towards Charleston to support General Forrest, who was moving upon
the enemy in that direction.

On the 2 3 1 li I received orders to cross the Tenncjsee river with
that portion of my command then with me (one brigade having
left with the army) and three brigades which General Forest had been
ordered to send me.

< ''% the morning, of- the 3<Hh, I learned that these commands h ad
just arrived at a point about twenty miles from the point of crossing.
i ordered them to the latter place, and proceeded there with the com-
mands of Generals Wharton and Martin. The enemy had occupied
the opposite bank, and immediately concentrated a force nearly, if
nor quite, equal to our own to resist our crossing. This force h:.d
followed me up the river, and I found that any point at which I should
attem] t 10 |ros8 could be reached as easily by them as by my eom-
Uoder these circumstances, I determined to cross at the point
I thi n was. The three brigades from General Forrest were mere skel-
etons; scarcely averaging five hundred effective men each. 1
were ba!!y armed, had but a small supply of ammunition, and

re in horrible condition, having been marched continuously
for three days and nights without removing saddles The meu were
worn out and without rations. The brigade commanders made most
urgent pi gainst their commands being called upon to move in

this condition. With this state of .things I allowed the worst horses
to be returned to the rear, and with the remainder crossed in the face
of an enemy nearly as large as our own force. We assailed and drove
the enen.y about three miles.

On the morning of November 2d I rea'ched Sequatchie valley, and at
three o'clock on the following morning proceeded down towards Jasper,
with about fifteen hundred men. After travelling about ten miles we
overtook and captured thirty- two six-mule wagons, which were de-
stroyed i£he mules were carried on with the command.

On approaching Anderson's cross roads we were met by a consid-
erable force of cavalry, which we charged and drove before us. Wo
here found a large train of wagons, which proved to extend from the
top of Waldron's ridge for a distance of ten miles towards Jasper.
This train was heavily loaded with ordnance, quartermaster and com-
missary stores. The number of wagons was variously estimated at
from eight to fifteen hundred. No one saw, perhaps, more than half
the train. The quartermaster in charge of the train, as well as other
employees, stated that there were eight hundred six-mule wagons,
besides a great number of sutler wagons. The train was guarded by
a brigade of cavalry in front and a brigade of cavalry in rear, an ' ori
the flank, where we attacked, were stationed two regiments of in-
fantry. After a warm fight the guards were defeated ami driven off,
leaving the entire train in our possession. After selecting h
mules' and wagons as we needed, we then destroyed the train by burn-
pug the wagons and sabering or shooting the mules. During tiiis
work my pickets were driven in on both flanks and my rear. Fortu-
nately tne enemy was repulsed, and. we remained undisturbed for
wight hours, and until our work was thoroughly accomplished. Jusi
before dark, as we were retiring, a large force of cavalry and infantry
moved upon us from Stephenson, skirmishing with our rear until

chirk. During this General Martin, Colonel Avery and Lieutenant
Colonel Griffith were distinguished for gallantry. During the night
I moved over Cumberland mountain, and early next morning joined
General Wharton near the foot of the mountain, and went forward to
3ttack McMinnville. The enemy was pressing c]ose behind, but we
succeeded in capturing the place, with an enormous supply of quarier-
master and commissary stores, with the fortifications and garrison,
which numbered five hundred and eighty-seven men, with arms, ac-
coutrements, &C. Two hundred honseswere also captured. The day
snd night were occupied in destroying the stores, a locomoti-. e, a
train of cars, and abridge over Hickory. creek — such of the stores as
could be transported having been distributed to the command.

On the following day we marched to Mnrfrcesboro'. After making
a demonstration \ipon the place we moved over, and, after a Bhort
light, captured a strong stockade guarding the railroad bridge ove*
Stone, river, with its garrison of fifty-two men. The da\ wis oi "u-
pied iu cutting down the bridge and thoroughly burning the tim
We also burned the railroad ties and track fur three miles below ihe
bridge.

The following day we destroyed a train and a quantity of stores at
Christiana and Fosterville, and destroyed all the railroad bridges and
tressels between Murfreesboro' and Wartrace, including all the large
bridge at and near the latter place, capturing the guards, &c. Wo
also captured and destroyed a large amount of stores of all kinuj at
Bhelbyville — the enemy running from his strong fortifications upon
cur approach.

That night I ordered Davidson's division to encamp on Duck river,
near Warner's bridge ; Martin's division two miles further down, and
Wharton's two miles below Martin's. During the evening" I learned
that the. enemy, who had been closely pursuing, had encamped neai
Frazier's farm. I immediately informed General Davidson of the
position of the enemy, and directed him to keep the enemy observed,
and to join me should the enemy m^ve towards him. This order was
bhort ly after repeated with thin modification, that he should move im-
mediately to my position (Crowell's mill.) Unfortunately he failed to
comply with this order, and on the following morning was attacked
bv a superior force of the enemy. I received two consecutive de-
P[mtcho^ from General Davidson which indicated he was moving down
I>uck liver, but on questioning his couriers, I ascertained that he waft
moving towards Farmington. I immediately started at a trot towards
Farmington, with Martin's division, ordering General Wharton1 and
tho wogona to follow me. 1 reached Farmington just in time to [dace
"ients of Martin's command in position when the enemy ap-
pearci. I had ordered General Davidson to form in column by fours
on tiie pike, and to charge the enemy when they were repulsed by
Martins division, General Davidson having officially reported to me
that only three regiments of the enemy had been seen during the <i;iy.

The engagement commenced warmly, but the enemy was soon re-
pulsed. General Davidson had failed to form as stated, and, instead,
had moved for some distance. The enemy Boon after came up in

ttrong force, with a division of infantry and a division of cavalry.
We fought them with great warmth for twenty minutes when we
charged the line and drove it back for some distance. General Whar-
ton's column and our train having now passed, and the object for which
we fought being accomplished, we withdrew, without being followed by
the enemy.

The enemy, in his own account of the fight, acknowledged a loss of
twenty-nine killed, including one colonel, and one hundred and fifty-
nine wounded. My entire loss was less than one-fourth of the above
figurts.

A reconnoissance was made towards' Columbia, which caused the ene-
my to evacuate that place and destroy all their stores, including thirty
days' rations for the garrison.

We then proceeded to the Tennessee river at Muscle Shoals, the
only fordable place on the river, where we crossed without difficulty,
the enemy reaching the river just after I had crossed.

Two pieces of artillery of Wiggin's battery having broken down
several times, were fiually abandoned on account of our utter inability
to bring them farther The officers deserve great credit for carrying
them so far in their disabled condition. One of the limbers of White's
battery blew up, which caused it also to be abandoned. Two of the
pieces were howitzers, and the other was an iron gun which had been
condemned at every inspection for the last year.

During the trip we captured in action sixteen hundred prisoners,
and killed and wounded as many of their cavalry, as would cover "bur
entire loss.

A full report of the casualties in my command during the battle,
and during the trip through Middle Tennessee, will be found in the
annexed tabular statement.

A considerable amount of the property captured on the trip wag
brought across the river.

The result of the operations of the cavalry under my command
during the battle of Chiekamauga^were, first, guarding the left flank
of the army for a distance of ninety miles, during and for twenty
days preceding the battle of Chickamauga, during which time it con-
tinually observed and skirmished with the enemy, repelling and de-
veloping all his diversions During the battle, with the available force
(which near exceeded two thousand men) not on other duty, such as
guarding the flanks, we fought the enemy vigorously and successfully,
killing and wounding huge numbers, and capturing two thousand
prisoners, one hundred wagons and teams, a large amount of other
propejrty, and eighteen stand of colors, all of which were turned over
to the proper authorities.

To Generals Wharton and Martin, commanding divisions, and Col-
onels Wheeler, Mcrgan, Crews and Harrison, commanding brigades,
I tender my thanks for their zeal, energy and gallantry during the
engagement. To General Davidson and Colonel Hodge, who com-
manded the troops which joined me on the expedition across the Ten-
nessee river, I tender my thanks for their good conduct, and that of
their troops during their advance upon McMinnvilk*, and to General

Martin and Colonel Avery for their gallant assistance in the capture and
destruction of the wagon train, and to Gen. Martin and his command
particularly for their good conduct at Farmington, and their laborious
work in destroying the biidges on the railroad. General Wharton
and his command behavecl throughout with their aGcngtomed gallantry.

I tender my thanks to tho following members of my staff" for their
gallantry ani.good conduct, viz:

Colonel King, Majors Burford. Jenkins, Hume and Hill; Captains
Turner, Powell, Wade, Flush and Kennedy, and Lieutenants Pointer,
Wailes, Nichol and Hatch.

To Major Hum'e, particularly, am I indebted for his great gallantry
during the fight at Farmington, where he was wounded, and to Lieu-
tenant Pointer, my aid, for his gallantry during a cavalry charge,
when he dashed upon the enemy's color-bearer, shot him,. and then
turired and brought the colors back to the command.
Very respectfullv, your obedient servant,

JOSEPH WHEELER,

Major General.

APPENDIX A.

Headquarters Davidson's Cavalry Division, )
October 7, 1863. J

To Major Gerferal WhevlEr,

Commanding Cavalry :

General: The enemy are following me. I am now bix miles btv-
low town, on the south side of the river.
I have not yet made a decided stand.
Respectfully,

H. B. Davidson,
Brigadier General commanding.

Headquarters Davidson's Cavalry Division, )
Aliens Hou.se, October 3, 1863. \

Major General Wheeler,

Commanding Cavalry :

General: I am moving down the side of the river. The enemy
are following me up. As soon as I can get a position, I will make a
stand. I think they are in strong force.
Respectfully,

H. B. Davidson,
Brigadier General commanding.
True copies :

AC G. Hudson, A. D. C.
5

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL LIDDELL, COMMAND-
ING DIVISION.

Headquarters Liddell's and Lowry's Brigade, )
• Cleburne's Division, A. T., before Chattavooga^Ttvnessee, >

October 1U, 1863. >

Captain Joseph B. Cujuming,

A. A. G., late of the Reserve, A. T. :

Captain : 1 have the honor to report the action of my division*,
consisting of Walthall's and Govan's brigades, and constituting a por-
tion of the reserve at the battle of Chickamauga :

About two o'clock, P. M., on Friday, the 18th of September, I
was ordered by Major General Walker to take Alexander's bridge,
across the Chickamauga. The reconnoissance I made was a very hasty
and imperfect one, and, relying chiefly upon the information obtained
from General Pegram, I instructed Brigadier General Walthall, of my
division, to make an attack upon the enemy in possession of the bridge.
This was promptly executed, and in three-quarters of an hour we had
it in possession. The force in our front consisted of Wilder' s mount-
ed infantry, from whom were captured a half dozen or more breech-
loading rifles. Our loss was one hundred and five in killed and
wounded, and I can only account for this disproportion from the effi-
ciency of this new weapon, our attack having been made through thick
woods and cedar underbrush, rendering the artillery of the enemy
that was used on the occasion, comparatively harmless. The bridge
having been torn up, prevented our crossing at that point, and, mak-
ing a detour of about a mile and a half northward, we effected a
crossing at Byron's ford, continuing thence our movement to a posi-
tion nearly one half mile in front of Alexander's bridge, where we
bivouacked for the night on the same ground occupied by a portion
of the enemy in our attack on the bridge.

The next morning, the 1 9th, about daylight, we continued our move-
ment, in the same direction, towards Lee k Gordon's mill, for about
one and a half miles further, where we halted for further instructions.

About eight o'clock, the firing of General Forrest's cavalry and
Eetors and Wilson's brigades, became very heavy in the rear of the
direction'we were taking, and on the right of our intended line of
battle. The country around was mostly oak woodland, and in places
thick underbrush.

About eleven o'clock, Major General Walker asked me to go with
him on a reconnoissance, to know what the demonstration meant then
being made on our right. After proceeding northward one and a half
miles, we found the enemy pressing back General Ector's and Colonel
Wilson's brigades, the latter more or less in confusion, and other evi-
dences of attack, making it apparent that a heavy force was bearing
down upon us. I replied to General Walker's inquiry as to what I
thought of it, " that I was satisfied a corps of the enemy was about
being thrown forward to turn our right wing, which it was absolutely

necessary for us to meet promptly with heavy reinforcements." He
agreed with me in this opinion, and immediately wrote the same to
General Bragg. Atthe same time orders Avere received by him from
General Bragg to attack the enemy immediately with all his force,
upon which he instructed me to bring up my force to the relief of the
two brigades already mentioned, and to retard, if possible, the fur-
ther progress of the enemy. As soon as my command could reach
the place, I formed the line facing northward, General Walthall on
the right, Colonel Govan on the left, and at once moved forward to
the attack at fifteen minutes past twelve, P. M., cautioning Colonel
Govan to look well to his left, as 1 apprehended that his left wing
would strike the enemy first, although he w;is not then visible on ac-
count of the thick undergrowth. In a few minutes we became hotly
engaged with the enemy's infantry and artillery, and, pressing for-
ward with a shout, we captured all the artillery in our immediate
front, with many prisoners of the fifth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth,
eighteenth, nineteenth and twenty-first United States regulars and
fourth Kentucky. I order.ed the artillery to be taken to the rear as
rapidly as possible, but so many horses had been killed that it was very
difficult to secure the pieces. YV e had now broken through two lines of
the enemy immediately in our front, and were just engaging the third
when it was discovered that their extended lines were overlapping
and flanking us, right and left, upon which it became necessary to re-
tire rapidly, by a flank movement to the right, to avoid destruction
or capture. After reaching the next hill in rear of us, we found Gen-
eral Cheatham's division taking position, having just come up a little-
too late to our 'support in action. It was now perfectly clear that
Ave had been opposed to an entire corps of .the enemy, (Gen. Thomas',),
to drive back which General Cheatham's division soon after proved to
be insufficient. My command now having been reformed and rested
for a short time, 1 was ordered to the extreme right of General Cheat-
ham's line, forming an obtuse angle with it, upon reaching Avhich po-
sition I moved forward to the attack a second time, in line nearly at
right angles to that assumed by me in the first attack ; Colonel Govan
now on the -right, and General Waltfiall on the left. The latter find-
ing the enemy well posted, and in very strong force, after* a contest
of half an hour, was compelled to withdraw about two hundred yards,
the left regiment of Colonel Govan's brigade falling back, with
him. The right of Colonel Govan's brigade had captured several
pieces of artillery from the enemy, which seemed lightly supported
and, whilst endeavoring to secure them, was. fired upon by a
Confederate battery, from the rear, the position c£. the line in the
underbrush having concealed it from vieAv, thus cauaing the mistake.
This unlucky accident caused him to retire to the same line with Gen-
eral Walthall, without accomplishing his object. In this last attack,
Ave fought over a portion of the ground on the left that we had con-
tended for in the first engagement, the enemy having pushed up and
occupied two-thirds of it. It was now Avithin an hour of sunset, when
General Cleburne's division came up in my rear, as General Cheat--
hara's had done in the first fight, and forming his line of three bri-

gades parallel with mine, moved forward over us upon the enemy, en-
gaging him about two hundred yards from my front. This attack be-
ing sudden and unexpected, the enemy gave way for a distance of half a
mile or more, when both parties ceased firing for the night. It now
being dark, we bivouacked where we were, and next morning, about sis
o'clock, in obedience to orders received from General Walker, I moved
my command with General Ector's brigade, about a njile and a half to the
right, on the prolongation, and in support of General Breckinridge's
right. After arriving there, I was ordered to move forward to the
attack in place of General Breckinridge's division, which had been
repulsed in its attack on the enemy's left flank and rear. Here, at
the order of" Lieutenant General Polk, General Wall hall's brigade was
detached from»me and' moved to the left of General Gist's brigade,
which was then making a <'irect attack on the left of the enemy's line
near his breastworks. At the same time an order was given me by
General Hill to take Colonel Goyan's brigade and move on the Chat-
tanooga road and engage the enemy in. his rear. This was about eleven
o'clock. After moving forward a short distance I ordered Colonel
Govan to change direction to the left, which he did, finding the enemy
in eome woods after passing a small field, and pushing him back to the
open ground in rear of the left of his foitifications. This was about
half a mile in advance of Gist's brigade and on the Chattanooga
road, out off from all connexion with any of our forces. After a
severe engagement, in which the enemy gave way opposite the right
and pressed forward in large force en the left of the brigade, thus
apparently designing to cut him off, Colonel Go-van was forced to
retire rapidly to avoid destruction.

For the part taken by General Walthall after he was detached from
me I refer to his report. On reaching the cover of the timber by a
circuitous detour to the right, the brigade was halted and reformed,
and soon afterwards was joined by General Walthall's command from
the left of Gist's: We were ordered now to remain in line awaiting
further oiders. About six, P. M , Lieutenant- General Hill ordered
me to move straight forward and occupy the Chattanooga road. I
requested General Hill to support me on the left, as I was satisfied
from pergonal observation during Colonel Govan's attack that 1 would
be enfiladed. This he said he would give me and I w r d off at once.
The line had passed some little distance beyond the road,

meeting with little or no resistance to that point, when, as expected,
it was enfiladed by batteries on both flanks, whilst a battery in front
played upon it across a waste'held. 1 immediately placed seven
pieces of artillery on a high point on the right of General Walthall's
brigade, which held the right wing, to engage the enemy's batteries
and draw the fire, if possible, from the infantry. My line was par-
allel with the enemy's works, and in his rear, upon his left flank,
nearly half a mile. Here I had halted and ordered the men to. lie
down, no enemy just then appearing in front. There was a wido
spen field in front and on my left. The enemy soon after this appa-
rently left his works and pressed upon the rear of my left flank,
whilst his batteries enfiladed me. Soon afterwards a cloud of skir-

mia'hers suddenly emerged from the woods, encircling my front and
right wing. From the combination of attacks, my command was
forced to withdraw to avoid being captured. A part of my skir-
mishers were nevertheless captured, together with Colonel Scales,
thirtieth Mississippi regiment. Walthall's brigade. The Federals had
left their works, at this time, in retreat from the field, and our whole
line was moving upon them.- After reforming my command I moved
it to the position on the Chattanooga road, near McDonald's house,
where it bivouacked on the ground it was ordered to hold. At ten
o'clock, Sunday night, my scouts reported that the enemy had entirely
withdrawn from the field and disappeared towards Lookout mountain.

In these five different engagements, in the space of three days, I lost
a great many offi:ers and men; my loss being one hundred and sixty-
two killed, nine hundred and sixty-three wounded, and two hundred
and seventy seven missing ; total, one thousand four hundred and four;
out of an effective total in both brigades of three thousand one hun-
dred and seventy-five before action.

The attack of the enemy being aimed at our right wing, his force
was necessarily large to accomplish his object, and, in every instance^
overpowered me with numbers. In no instance, in the last two day's
fight, did we muke an attack without being flanked by the overlapping
lines of the enemy; and, although forced to give way four different
times, serious and heavy loss was inflicted upon the Federals in each
attack, and the command always promptly rallied to renew the engage-
ment.

In connexion with, Sunday evening's affair, it is proper for me to
state that the force which was reported by General Forrest, about
tour, P. M., to Lieutenant General Hill to be moving from the direc-
tion of Chattanooga, in support of the enemy's left flank, took it3
position in the edge of the woods on the opposite side of the waste
field in my front, supported its batteries on my right flank and front,
and, during the last engagement, threw forward its skirmishers,
which, co-operating with the attack on my left and rear and the enfi-
lading fires of their artillery, kept every movement of their own side
in view as well as our own. This force retired with the balauce of
the enemy at dusk, having apparently accomplished its»object of pre-
venting our getting in his rear. We took aisout eight hundred pris-
oners, nearly all of which were regulars in the United States army.
Major Coolidge, of the sixteenth United States infantry, was killed.
Captain Van Pelt, of Loomis' battery, was captured by the eighth
Arkansas and first Louisiana infantry. Of the pieces captured, four
were secured by Govan's brigade and one by Walthall's. I refer to
the reports of brigade commanders for particulars. Colonel Feath-
erston, of the fifth Arkansas, was killed early in the first action.
Colonel Gillespie and Lieutenant Colonel Baucum were both wounded.
In Efrigadier General Walthall's brigade, Lieutenant Colonel McKel-
vane, twenty-fourth Mississippi, Lieutenant Colonel Morgan, twenty-
ninth Mississippi, Major I'egram, thirty-fourth Mississippi, Major
Staples, twenty-fourth Mississippi, Lieutenant Colonel Jones, twenty-
seventh Mississippi, Major Johnson, thirtieth Mississippi, and Lieu-

tenant Colonel Reynolds, thirtieth Mississippi, were wounded, the last
mortally. Officers and men of both brigades behaved with unusual
gallantry, and I have the satisfaction of knowing that they did their
duty to their country, side by side, against greater odds than they
have ever hitherto met. Although no brilliant results were directly
accomplished, the record for hard fighting cannot be well surpassed.
In my humble opinion it is the best evid'ence of good soldiers, when
overpowered by immense numbers on all sides, to be able to rally
promptly and return again and again to the contest undaunted. The
enemy was held in check by the resolute bravery of my two brigades,
united with the rest of General Walker's command, until sufficient
support could come up to prevent our right flank from being turned
by General Thomas' corps. To my two brigade commanders, Briga-
dier General Walthall and Colonel Govan, I am greatly indebted for
their prompt co-operation in every movement and quick apprehension
of the constantly recurring necessities that arise on a battle-field. I
know of no more gallant soldiers, and feel honored by the command
o£ such officers. My staff, Captain G. A. Williams, assistant adju-
tant general, and Lieutenant J. L. Bostick, aid-de-camp, behaved
with their usual gallantry and need no commendation at my hands.
Lieutenant Dulin, brigade inspector, was slightly wounded in the fore-
head. To my chief surgeon, Dr. McFadden, my thanks are due for
his prompt attention to the wounded and their rapid removal from the
field, however distant they were from the hospital he had been enabled
to establish. I would respectfully bring to notice the gallantry of
Captain Fletcher, of the thirteenth Arkansas regiment, in repelling
the sudden attempt of the enemy to capture two pieces of artillery,
which were unavoidably delayed in being removed from their position,
late in the evening of the 20th. I thank God for permitting us to be
the survivors of a great victory for our country.
Respectfully submitted,

JOHN R. LIDDELL,
• Brigadier General.

REPORT OF BRIGADIER. GENERAL W. PRESTON, COM-
MANDING DIVISION.

Greenville, South Carolina, October 31, 1863.

Captain Gallaher,

Assistant Adjutant General ."

Captain : I have the honor to transmit, in obedience to orders, a
report of the part taken by the division under my command in the bat-
tle of Chickamauga :

On the 18th of September our forces advanced in several columns
to cross the Chickamauga, and give battle to the Federal army under
General Roscncranz. Major General Buckner' s corps, consisting of
Stewart's division and mine, moved on the road to Thedford's ford,
and on the evening of that day (Friday) my command bivouacked at
Hunt's or Dalton's ford, on the south bank of the river and east of
the road. The skirmishers of Colonel Kelley's brigade soon discov-
ered the enemy posted along the opposite bank of the stream, extend-
ing above in the direction of Lee & Gordon's mill. Soon after
nightfall General Grade's brigade was moved across the ford and
established in line of battle, running almost east and west, near
Hunt's house, and a few hundred yards north of the river, where it
remained during the night.

On the next morning my two remaining brigades crossed the river
at dawn, and were formed in line of battle in Hunt's field. Stewart's
division soon occupied a position on my right, and extended eastward in
the direction of Thedford's ford. Riding forward, I found troops of
Brigadier General Johnson's and Major General Hood's commands
forming in Hue of battle nearly at right angles to my own line, facing
westward, toward the Chattanooga road, and afterwards met General
Bragg, Major General Hood and Major General Buckner, who were
conferring together. Having reported to Major General Buckner
the position of my troops, I returned, and about eight o'clock received
an order from him to advance through Hunt's field, in the direction of
the enemy. Gracie's brigade was immediately conformed to the gen-
eral line of battle and moved westwardly toward the main road — that
runs north from Lafayette to "Chattanooga. After advancing about
six hundred yards it arrived near a sharp curve of the Chickamauga,
which impeded further progress. I halted the command on the brow
of the hill overlooking the stream and plain below. The enemy's
lines and batteries were discovered about fifteen hundred yards dis-
tant, in the direction of Lee & Gordon's mill, across the bend of the
river, which it would have been necessary to cross twice, with an
open field intervening, swept by their artilleryi had the advance con-
tinued straight forward. Having halfed Gracie, I drew up Kelly's
brigade three hundred yards in the. rear, upon a declivity in the field,
and Trigg's brigade about three hundred yards in rear of Kelly's, on
the prolongation of Bate's brigade, of Stewart's division, which was

on the right — thus forming my division in a column of three brig-
ades. A rocky hill near Gracie's right, overlooking the field below,
afforded an excellent position for artillery. ' Upon it I posted Jef-
fries' battery. The enemy commenced shelling my liue9 rapidly, and
I lost a commissioned officer killed, and a few men of the sixth Florida,
with Lieutenant Lane and others of the sixty-third Tennessee wounded.
A shot or tw.o was fired by Jeffries, but I ordered the battery to cease
firing, as the distance was too great to assure proper accuracy. My
troops remained in ranks without further repty, patiently enduring
the fire. About twelve o'clock, in compliance with an order received
Major General Buckner, I moved my command by the ri^ht fi.mk from
about six or eight hundred yard?, to a position somewhat west of north
fr>,m Hunt*? field. Trigg's brigade occupied the front, in a woodland
near a small cabin. Gracie was formed near Tri"" and Kellv was

-i . DO * *

posted in the rear, supporting Leyden's battalion of artillery. No
further event of importance occurred during the day to Gracie's or
Kelly's brigades. Soon after Trigg occupied his position, some three
hundred yards in advance of Gracie and Kelly, his skirmishers, under
Colonel Maxwell, engaged those of the enemy with spirit, and sbme
two hours afterwards were driven in by the enemy's artillery. There
was a small corn field three or four hundred yards in front of Trigg, in
which the enemy were posted. About two or three o'clock a continuous
and heavy fire of infantry and artillery, and their shells exploding be-
yond our rear Tines, announced a conflict near the field in front. 1 was
informed that Hood's division was attacking the enemy in the field,
whilst my division was held in reserve Soon after I received an
r from Major General Buckner to detach a brigade and reinforce
General Hood. For this, purpose Colonel Trigg was ordered to ad-
vance in the direction of the firing, and to give the required support.
The action soon became Lot in front. Trigg joined Brigadier Gen-
eral Robertson, of Hood's division, and attacked the enemy. They
were broken in confusion. The sixth Florida, under Colonel Findlay,
sustained heavy loss, but owing to some misapprehension of orders,
the brigade failed to capture the enemy's battery, or to reap the fruits
of their repulse. As 1 was not personally superintending the attack,
1 refer to the report of Colonel Trigg for details.

Riding forward, however, I found the evidences of a stubborn and
sanguinary conflict in the margin of the wood and the corn field be-
yond, from which tlie enemy were retiring their lines. Night coming
on, Trigg bivouacked in the woodland near the edge of the corn-field,
while Gracie and Kelly occupied a position in front of a little hut,
near which Major General Buckner hud established his headquarters.

I have no means of ascertaining, with accuracy, the loss sustained
by my division on Saturday, but estimate it at ahout one hundred and
fifty or one hundred and seventy-five killed and wounded, nearly all
of whom were from Trigg's brigade. During the night Gracie's and
Kelly's brigades were vigorously engaged in constructing defences to
strengthen the left, and, in the morning, Williams' and Leyden's bat-
talions of artillery were supported by my infantry, under covor of
gocd field entrenchments.

On Sunday, about midday, the battle became fierce along the right
towards Chattanooga, and there was a general advance of the left
•wing, under 'Lieutenant .General Lon^street. Stewart's division and
Trigg's brigade were moved forward northwestwardly, in the direc-
tion of Brotherton's house, on the Chattanooga road Under an order
from Major General Buikner, 1 advanced with Grade's and Kelly's
brigades, with the exception of the sixty-fifth Georgia, Colonel Moore,
which was left to protect Jeffries' battery, near Hunt's field, on the
left. Gracie's and Kelly's brigades were formed in lino of battle
across the Chattanooga road, in front of Brotherton's house, and
Trigg a short distance in the rear. The enemy, in some fields on the
north, maintained an active fire of ?hot and shell on my troops until
about half past three o'clock, when I received an order to move to-
ward Dyer's house and field to support Brigadier General Kershaw,
Guided by Captain Ten ill, 1 advanced with Gracie's and Kelly's
brigades, Trigg's haviDg been retained near Brotherton's by Major
General Buckner, to resist an apprehended attack of cavalry on our left
and rear. After moving through the woodbind between the Chatta-
nooga road and Dyer's farm house, 1 reached a large field extending
northward to some wooded ravines and heights. These heights stretch
nearly east and west from the Lafayette and Chattanooga road, to
another nearly parallel road running from Crawfish Spring to Ross-
ville, and about two miles west of the former. From the edge of
Dyer's field the ground descends to a wooded ravine, and after two
or three intervening depression:-, each succeeding height being more
elevated, you reach the summit of the ridge, which is some two hun-
dred fe,§t above the level of the plain. Along this ridge the enemy
were drawn up under General Thomas, as it is believed from the
statement of prisoners. A strong battery was posted on the loftiest
and nest eastern of these heights, toward Snodgrass house and Chat-
tanooga On the northeast the undulations were gentle, and cleared
fields and farms stretched away to the eastwaid to open and wooded
plains.

Upon these plains the battle had raged during fhe day, and the
heights were the key of the enemy's position, and his last stronghold.
As soon as the advance brigade of Grade reached Dyer's field, I or-
dered him to form in line of battle, with, his left wing resting near a
tall pine on the summit of the hill, near the edge of the field, and in
fmnt of the enemy's strongest position. This was done with great
animation and in* admirable order. I then directed Colonel Kelly to
form his brigade on the left of Gracie, and to change direction to
the right as he advanced. The owner of the farm, John Dyer, one
cf my couriers, gave me a most accurate and valuable.description of
the local topography, and I directed K<dly to cover and protect
Gracie's left. Whilst engaged in bringing Kelly into position, Gracie's
brigade disappeared in the wood, advancing against the battery hill.
I ordered Captain Blackburn, my volunteer aid-de-camp, to follow
and ascertain from General Gracie by what authority he had roov^d.
General Gracie replied that he had been ordered to advance by Brig-
adier General Kerthaw, who was in the ravine iust beyond the field.

The movement was slightly premature, as Kelly was not formed,
but I at once ordered his brigade forward, and sent Captain
Blackburn to direct him to oblique to the right again, so as to
press toward the slope of the hill in the rear, while Gracie w:is
attacking in front. The enemy had kept up a rapid artillery fire from
the hill and across the field, but Gracie. passing through Kershaw's
ranks, which were halted in the first ravine beyond the field, dashed
over the ridge beyond and into the hollows between it and the battery
hill. The brigade advanced with splendid courage, but was met by a
destructive fire of the enemy front the cover of their field works on
the hill. The second Alabama battalion stormed the hill and entered
the entrenchments. Here an obstinate and bloody combat ensued.
Brigadier General Gracie, whilst bravely leading his men, had his
horse shot under him. Lieutenant Colonel Fulkerson, commanding
the sixty-third Tennessee, Lieutenant Colonel Jolly, of the forty-
third Alabama, Lieutenant Colonel Holt, of the first Alabama battal-
ion, and Lieutenant Colonel Hall, of the second Alabama battalion,
were severely wounded whilst gallantly leading their respective com-
mands in the assault on the hill. Many brave officers and men here
fell. The brigade carried into action about two thousand and three
officers and men, and, in the space of an hour, lost six hundred and
ninety- eight killed and wounded. The second Alabama battalion, out
of two hundred and thirty-nine, lost one hundred and sixty- nine
killed and wounded. In the action its color was pierced in eighty-
three places, and was* afterwards, by request, presented to His Excel-
lency the President, who promoted the brave standard-bearer, Robert
vV Hieth, for conspicuous courage. George W. Norris, ofC/aptain
Wise's company, of Hall's battalion, fell at the foot of the enemy's*
Hag-staff, and was buried at the spot where he had so nobly died.

Grade's brigade advanced between four and five o'clock, and^velly
moved about ten minutes afterwards to assail the second hill on the
ridge, thix-e or four hundred yards west of the battery hill. I ordered
him to change direction obliquely to the right, which was promptly
done, and in a few minutes the brigade had passed beyond the troops
halted on the left of Kershaw's brigade in the ravine and engaged
the enemy on the ridge, three or four hundred yards beyond. Then
a desperate combat ensued, the hostile forces being not more than
thirty or foity yards apart. Kelly gained the hill after a bloody
struggle, and the enemy vainly sought to dislodge him from it.

Just as 1 first formed, and moved Kelly into action, I met Major
General Hind man and staff, on the summit of the hill near Dyer's
field. The General though suffering from a contusion on the neck,
from a fragment of shell, remained in the saddle. He informed me
of the state or affairs, and assured me of my opportune arrival, and
authorized me to post a battery of his on a point of the field so as to
guard against and cover any repulse of ray troops or any adverse
event. This was done by me Aough I did not learn the name of the
oflicer commanding the battery. When the fire on Gracie und Kelly
was fully developed, its great volume and extent assured me that sup-
port was indispensable. At once I dispatched Captain Blackburn,

Captain Preston and Lieutenant Johnston, of my Staff, with oncers
to bring Trigg's brigade forward rapid]}', and to inform Major Gene-
ral Buckner, at Brotherton's, of my situation and the urgent neces-
sity of the order. Shortly after Captain Harvey Jones, A. A. Gene-
ral of Gracie's brigade, rode up and informed me that Gracie had
gained the hill, but could not hold it without reinforcements. 1 in-
structed him to inform Gracie that the hill must he held at all hazards,
and that I would send Colonel Trigg to his support in a few minutes.
Soon after Colonel Kelly sent me word by Lieutenant McDaniel that
he could not hold the hill without succor, and I gave him a similar
response. This was about the period of the heaviest fire, and I rode
forward to where Colonel Kelly was engaged on the hill, and Lieu-
tenant McDaniel brought him to me. I reiterated the order and the
assurance of Trigg's speedy arrival, and passed on to the right, where
I met General Gracie. He reported his ammunition almost exhausted,
and was withdrawing his men to replenish his cartridge boxes.

In the meantime, General Buckner had sent me Colonel Trigg's
brigade, which, advancing in double-quick time, arrived at a critical
moment, while the battle was raging fiercely. One of Trigg's regi-
ments went to the support of General Gracie. while the remainder of
his brigade was ordered to form on the left of Kelly and to attack the
enemy on the ridge. This fresh brigade, moving over the troops halted
in the valley below, assaulted with great ardor the enemy on the left
of Kelly, and quickly carried the first ridge. The fresh and length-
ening line of fire from this fine command reanimated our men, and
disheartened the enemy, who relinquished their first position, and fell
back tp a second ridge, occupied by a strong force and posted behind
field works. A momentary lull ensued. Brigadier General Robert-
son reported to me, and I directed him to occupy and hold the posi-
tion from which Gracie had withdrawn to replenish bis ammunition.
I sent, at this time, for Colonel" Kelly, who reported in person and
informed me that the enemy in his front seemed in confusion. I di-
rected him to use his discretion and press the advantage by advancing
as far as practicable, with Trigg wheeling to the right toward the de-
clivity of the battery hill, stretching towards Chattanooga. It was
now moonlight, and Kelly returning to his command after a few
minutes absence from it, the fire reopened, and, continuing for a short
time, ceased. It was the last fire of the day. and closed the battle.

In the last attack made by Trigg and Kelly, Colonel Hawkins,vof
the fifth Kentucky, a brave and skilliul officer of Kelly's brigade,
captured two colonels, one lieutenant colonel, a number of company
officers, and two hundred and forty-nine prisoners. The twenty-second
Michigan, the eighty ninth Ohio and part of the twenty-first Ohio
regiments were captured by Trigg's and Kelly's brigades, and fivo
stand of colors we're taken by sergeant Timmons, of the seventh blo-
rida regiment, and by privates Heneker, Harris, Hylton and Carter,
of the fifty-foorth Virginia. Colonels (jarlton, Lefebvre and Lieuten-
ant Colonel Glenn were among the prisoners.

The next morning about four thousand five hundred stand of arms,
which had been thrown away by the flying enemy, were secured by

my commaad. I learned that Stea iman's division and troops from
General Granger's reserve corps held the heights attacked by my
division, and from captured artillerists, at Snodgrass' house, that the
hill had been occupied by a battery of the regular army and another
from Ohio.

' Among the wounded at Snodgrass" house, where a hospital had been
established by the enemy, were many prisoners, some of whom were
from Crittenden's corps, portions of which seera also to have occupied
the hill. In the attack on the hill no artillery could be used by us
effectively. The struggle whs alone for the infantry. Few fell who
were not struck down by the rifle or the musket. Whilst at the height
of the engagement, the reserve artillery of Major Williams opened
fire, by order of Major General Buckner, on the rear lines of the ene-
my, but with what effect I could not judge. The fire served, however,
to draw that of the enemy to another part of the field on my right.
As my line advanced, I sent word to General Buckner, requesting
him to cause Williams to cease firing or he would enfilade iny men
who had now the ridge, and the batteries were promptly stopped. The
battalion of Georgia artillery, under Major Leyden, was engaged with
Colonel Trigg on Saturday, and that of Captain Jeffries, protected
by the sixty-fifth Georgia, occupied an important position on the left.
Captain Peebles' battery, of Major Leyden's command, sustained a
small loss in the engagement. No opportunity for the advantageous
use of his guns was offered in that quarter of the field. I refer to
Major Leyden's report for details

The next morning, I ordered the burial of the dead. Many of our
brave men had fallen in charging the slopes leading to the summit of
the ridge. The musketry from the low breastworks of the enemy on
the hill attacked by General Gracie,.had set fire to the dry foliage,
and scorched and blackened corpses gave fearful proof of the heroism
and suffering of the brave men who bad stormed the hill. The ground
occupied by the enemy's battery was strewn with slain. More to the
north, in a wooded dell in front of Kelly and Trigg, many dead and
wounded of the enemy wei'e found, who had fled the combat and sought
concealment in its shadows. All the dead along my line, whether
friend or enemy, were buried, and the wounded removed to hospital.

1 have already mentioned the services of Brigadier General Gra-
de, and his command, and desire to express -my approval of the cour-
age and skill he manifested in the battle. It also affords me pleasure
to netiee the valuable services of Colonel J. M. Moody, Lieutenant
Colonel Sanford, Major McLennan, Captain Walden and Surgeon
Luckie, of Gracie's brigade. Colonel Trigg maintained and. increased*
his justly merited reputation as a brave ami skillful officer. Every
order was executed with enery and intelligence. To the rapidity
with which he moved his command to the support of Kelly's and Gra-
cie's brigades, and availed himself of the advantages of the field, I
attributed, in a great measure, the success of my command in carry-
ing the position. Colonel Findlay, of the sixth Florida moved at
once to my support, with Lieutenant Colonel Wade, of the fifty-fourth'
Virginia, while the seventh Florida, under Colonel Bullock, was

brought forward by Colonel Trigg, in person. During the struggle
for the heights, Colonel Kelly had his "horse shot under him, and dis-
played great courage and skill. He animated his men by his example,
and with unshaken firmness retained the ground he had won. During
the action, he was reinforced by a regiment from the brigade of Brig-
adier General Fatton Anderson, who was in his vicinity, for which
timely aid I desire to express my obligations.

Colonel Kelly took into action eight hundred and seventy-six offi-
cers and men, one of his regiments (the sixty-fifth Georgia) being
detached, and lost three hundred killed and wounded. Colonel. Palmer,
of the fifty- eighth North Carolina, though wounded, reruain.d on the
field, and bravely commanded his regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Ed-
mund Kirhy, a young, brave and lamented officer of the same regi-
ment, fell early in the action. Captain Lynch, of the sixty-third
Virginia, ani Lieutenant Colonel Conner, Major Myneher and Adju-*
tant Thomas B. Cook, of the fifth Kentucky, merit honorable men-
tion. Captain Joseph Desha,- of the fifth Kentucky, who, though
painfully wounded, remained on the field until the enemy was de-
feated, deserves especial commendation. Captain Desha has been
often in action, and always honorably mentioned, and I respectfully
recommend him for promotion.

The actual strength of the command taken by me into action on
Sunday was three thousand seven 'hundred and fifty-two men, and
three hundred and twenty-six officers, being an aggregate of four
thousand and seventy-eight infantry, and my total loss in the battle
was twelve hundred and seventy-five killed and wounded — -'and sixty-
one missing, nearly all of the lost having been subsequently counted
for.

I desire to express my thanks to ray staff for the efficient aid they
rendered me. Major W M.Owen, chief of artillery; Captain Sand-
ford, assistant adjutant geneial ; Captain Edward C. Preston, divis-
ion inspector; Lieutenant Edward Whitfield, ordnance officer; Lieu-
tenant Adams, assistant adjutant and inspector general ; Lieutenant
Harris II Johnston, aid-de-camp, and Captain J. C. Blackburn, vol-
unteer aid de-camp, were actively employed during the battle, and I
tender to them the assurance of my i-ense of their valuable service, on
the fie! 1. Lieutenant Bowles, of Morgan's cavalry, waa rily

att, i< , my staff, and assisted me greatly daring ttie engagement.

Major E IwaFd Cru'tchficld, quartermaster, and Major Bradford were
under orders a short distance in the rear, hut availed themselves of
each interval to join me at the fiont, and fulfilled their respective du-
ties to my entire satisfaction. Surgeon Benjamin Gillespie, by the es-
tablishment of field hospitals and bis care of the wounded, merits my
thanks and official notice.

Enclosed I transmit the report, of General Gracie, Colonels Kelly
and Trigg, with others of subordinate officers. I refer to them for
many details which cannot he embraced in this report, and invite at-
tention to the instances of skill and gallantry shown by officers and
men which they record. The troops of my division had never been
engaged in any important battle, having been stationed during the

78
•
war chiefly in southwestern Virginia and east Tennessee, to defend
their mountain passes from invasion. Held in reserve while tho con-,
tiict raged around them for a day and a half, they manifested a noUle ardor
to share its dangers and it9 glories. Though long in service, and not
aspiring to the title of veterans, I felt strong confidence in their pa-
triotism, courage and discipline. The hour for the trial of all these
great qualities arrived; every hope was justified, and I feel assured
that both officers and men won honorable and enduring renown upon
the memorable field of Chickamauga.

I. have the honor to remain your obedient servant,

W. PRESTON,.
Brigadier General, P. A. C. S.

TABULAR STATEMENT of the strength of Preston's Division in
the Battle of Chickamauga, and the Return of the Killed, Wounded and
Missing.

Ekkbctivk SrrtExcTii.

Killed, Wounded axd

WlfSlNO.

COMMAND.

•

Sept. 19, 1883 Sept. 20, 1863

Killed.

Wounded.

Missing.

Total.

'1
O

■of

i
o

135
119
109

1,092'
1,417
1,037

134

108
84

I.8G9

1,091

792

6
3
5

64
43
57

30
IS
15

57S
213

223

725

329

•

Total.;

363

4.-146

326

■3,7.r>2

184

1,014

.../.. 61

1 ,336

'The sixty-fifth Georgia detached on September 29tli.

W. PRESTON,

Brigadier Gcn-ial commanding Division.

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL N. B. FORREST, COM-
MANDING CAVALRY.

Headquarters Forrest's Cavalry Command, )
Dalton, Georgia, October $2, 1863. )

Lieutenant Colonel George W. Brent,

A. A. General Army of Tennessee :

Colonel: I have the honor to forward the following report of the
operations of my command during the action at Chickamauga creek on
the 19th and 20th ultimo; also a brief sfatement of its movements
and engagements prior and subsequent to the battle of Chickamauga,
accompanying it with the reports of Brigadier General Pegram, com-
manding division, and Colonel J. L. Scott, commanding brigade.. No
report from Brigadier General Armstrong, commanding first division
of the corps, has been received. A report is also due from Brigadier
General Davidson, who commanded a brigade of General Pegram's
division during the battle of Chickamauga. The reports of both
officers would no doubt have been furnished but for the movements in
East Tennessee, and afterwards under General Wheeler in Middle
Tennessee, which gave no time or opportunity to make them out.

On the 9th ultimo I was ordered to establish my headquarters at
Dalton, and my command was located and disposed of as follows :
Colonel Hodges' brigade was sent on the Cleaieiand and Dalton road
to meet the enemy — then reported at Athens, Tennessee, and advanc-
ing ; Colonel Scott's brigade was ordered to Ringgold, Georgia, to
watch the enemy on the road from Chattanooga to that point; Gen-
eral Pegram was left at or near Peavine church, and Brigadier
General Armstrong's division was located in front of General Cheat-
ham's infantry division, on the Chattanooga and Lafayette road. I
retained with mo at Dalton about two hundred and forty men of
General Morgan's command.

The reports of General Pegram and Colonel Scott sufficiently de-
tail their operations prior to the battle of Chickamauga, and require
no further comments here.

On Thursday, 17th ultimo, I moved from Dalton, and on Friday
morning from Ringgold to Peavine creek, having with me Morgan's
men (under Lieutenant Colonel Martin) and my escort, and met the
enemy's cavalry (Mintry's brigade) at Peavine creek. Dismounting
Lieutenant Colonel Martin's command, and, assisted by Brigadier
General B. R. Johnson's command, the enemy were driven across the
Chickamauga at Reed's bridge, at which point I was joined«by Gen-
eral Pegram's division. Crossing the creek at a ford above the bridge,
the country was scoured for a mile west of the bridge. General
Hood's command of- infantry also crossed the Chickamauga and- formed
in line of battle, my command bivouacking on the field in the rear of
his line, near Alexander's bridge.

On the morning of the 19th, I was ordered to move with my com-

80 •

mand down the road towards Reed's bridge and develop the enemy,
which was promptly done, and their advance was soon engaged at the
steam saw mill near that point. Finding the enemy too strong for
General PegraoTs force, I despatched a staff officer to Lieutenant
General Polk's quarters for General Armstrong's division. He could
only spare Dibrell's brigade, which arrived shortly after we engaged
the enemy, was speedily dismounted and formed, and, with General
Pegram's division, were able to hold position until infantry reinforce-
ments arrived, the first brigade of which, under Colonel Wilson,
formed on my left, advanced in gallant style, driving the enemy back
and capturing a battery of artillery. My dismounted cavalry advanced
with them. The superior force of the enemy compelled #us to give
back until reinforced. by»General Ector's brigade, when the enemy
were again driven back. From statements of prisoners captured, the
enemy's force engaged was four brigades of infantry and one of cav-
alry. But when driven back the second time, with the loss of another
battery, their full force was developed, and,. being met and overpow-
ered by vastly superior numbers, we were compelled to fall back to our
first position. A cavalry charge "was made to protect the infantry as
they retired, which they did in good order, though with loss. We
captured many prisoners, but were unable, for want of horses, to
bring off the guns captured from the enemy. * Until the arrival of
Major General Walker, (being the senior officer present,) I assumed tem-
porary command of the infantry, and I must say that the fighting and
the gallant charges of the two brigades just referred to excited my
astonishment. They bjroke the enemy's line, and, could not' be halted
or withdrawn until nearly surrounded. We fell back, fighting and
contesting the ground, to our original position, near the mill on the
Reed's bridge road. General Cheatham's division coming up and
engaging the enemy, drove them for some distance, but was, in turn,
compelled to fall back. Seeing General Maney's brigade hard
pressed and retiring before the enemy, I hastened to his relief with
Freeman's battery of six pieces, dismounting Colonel Dibrell's brigade
to support it. The conduct of Major John 11. , chief of artil-
lery, and the officers and men of this battery, on this occasion, de-
serves special mention. They kept up a constant and destructive
fire upon the enemy until they were wit!. in. fifty yards of the guns,
getting eff the field with all their guns, notwithstanding the loss of
horns They were gallantly protected by Colonel Dibrell in retiring,
who fell back with the line of infantry. General Armstrong, having
been released by General Polk, arrived with his brigade and took
comi and of his division, forming it, and, with Pegram's division,
holding the road to Reed's bridge, which had been repaired*during
the day.

On Sunday morning, the 20th, I received orders to move up and
keep in line with General Breckinridge's division, which I did, dis-
mounting all of General Armstrong's division, except the first Ten-
nessee regiment, of McDonald's brigade, holding General Pegram's
division in reserve on my right. The two commands of General
Armstrong's division, which were mounted, took possession of the

Lafayette road, capturing the enemy's hospitals and quite a number of
prisoners. They were compelled to fall back as the enemy's reserves,
under General Granger, advanced upon that road. Colonel Dibrell
fought in front, -with the infantry, during that day. As General
Granger approached, by shelling his command and manoeuvering his
troops, he was detained nearly two hours and prevented from joining
the main force until late in the evening, and then at a double-
quick and under a heavy fire from Freeman's buttery aud a section
of Napoleon guns, borrowed from General Breckinridge. After
Granger's column had vacated the road in front of me, I moved my
dismounted men rapidly forward and took possession from the Fede-
ral hospital to the woods on the left, through which the infantry was
fighting and advancing. My artillery was ordered forward, but. be-
foie it could reach the woods and be placed in position, a charge was
made by the enemy, the infantry line retreating in confusion and
leaving me without a support, but held the ground long enough to get
my artillery back to th ■ position from which we shelled Granger's
column, and opened fire upon the advancing column with fourteen
pieces of artillery, driving them back and terminating on the right
flank the battle of Chickamauga. This fire was at short range, in
open ground, and was to the enemy very destructive, killing two
colonels and many other officers and privates.

It is with pride and pleasure that I mention the gallant conduct of
the officers and men of my command. General Armstrong's division
fought almost entirely on foot, always up and frequently in advance
of the infantry. My command was kept on the field during the night
of the 20th, and men and borses suffered greatly for want of water.
The men were- without rations and the horses had only received a par-
tial feed once during the two days' engagement.

On Monday morning I moved forward on the Lafayette road
towards Chattanooga, capturing' many prisoners and arms. The lat-
ter were collected as far as practicable and tent to the rear, using for
that purpose several wagons and ambulances captured from the re-
treating enemy or abandoned and left by them. On iaking posses-
sion of Mission ridge, one mile or thereabouts from liossville, we
found the enemy fortifying the gap; dismounted Colonel Dibreira
regiment, under command of Captain McGunns, and attacked them,
but found the force too large to dislodge them. On the arrival of my
artillery, it opened on and fought them for several hours, but could
not move them.

We held possession of the ridge during the night, and on Tuesday
moved down from Mission ridge into the Chattanooga valley, driving
the enemy into the -woods; and advancing on the Lafayette road be-
yond Watkins' farm, and holding position there until the arrival of
Kershaw's brigade. My command was kept in line of battle during
the night at Silrey's ford on the Tennessee river.

On Wednesday, 23d, with McDonald's battalion, I gained the point
of Lookout mountain. My troops, being gradually relieved by in-
fantry, were ordered to the rear and went into camp at and near Bird's
6

aiills, with orders issued to cook up rations and shoe the horses as
rapidly as possible.

On Friday morning, the 25th, I received orders to move with my
entire command to meet the forces of Biirnside at or near Harrison,
which order was immediately obeyed. Having proceeded as far as.
Chattanooga station, a second courier came up, with an order to
proceed via Cleaveland to Charleston and disperse the enemy at that
place, and if necessary to cross the river. I reached Cleave-
land that night, and went to Charleston the next morning; found the
enemy on the opposite side of the river. I moved up my artillery
and, after a sharp cannonading, drove them off and threw my cavalry
across the river. From prisoners captured, found the force opposite
Charleston and retreating was a mounted brigade commanded by Col-
onel Byrd. Learning also that Woolford's Federal cavalry was en-
camped at Cedar Springs, three miles from Athens, it was deemed
necessary to follow, which was done rapidly, fighting them repeatedly
and driving them before us. Their last stand was made at Philadel-
phia, when Woolford's brigade was put to flight by the advance of
Armstrong's division, under Colonel Dibrell. Receiving orders to
return at once, I withdrew my command back to Charleston, ordering
General Davidson, with his division, and General Armstrong, with
his brigade, to report to General Wheeler at Cotton Port ferry. Our
);oirS in tho expedition to East Tennessee was four men wounded and
two captured. We killed and wounded about twenty of the enemy and
»eut one hundred and twenty prisoners to Dalton.

In closing this report, I desire to pay a just tribute to my officers and
men for their gallantry and uncomplaining endurance of all the fa-
tigues and dangeis incident to the movements and engagements
set forth in this report. The charges made by Armstrong's division
(while fighting on foot) in the battle of Chickamauga would be cred-
itable to the be3t drilled infantry. The officeis of my staff have, as
on many previous occasions, discharged all duties with promptness
*,nd fidelity.

I am* Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

N. B. FORREST,
Brigadier Gineral commanding.

P. S. — As soon as official reports can be obtained from General
Armstrong's and General Davidson's divisions they will be forwarded.
Our losses cannot at present be estimated.

Respectfully, &o.,

N. B. FORREST.

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN PEGRAM, COM-
MANDING CAVALRY DIVISION.

Headquarters Cavalry DrvisioN, >
Near Cfackarnajga Station, September 24, 1863. S

To Major J. P. Strange,

Assistant Adjutant General Forrest's Chivalry Corps :

Major : In obedience to orders, I have the honor to make the fol-
lowing report of the recent combats of my command with the enemy v.

The first of these occurred near Graysville, on the l<)th instant,
when, being out on a reconnoisance with the sixth Georgia cavalry,
(Colonel Hart,) it was reported the enemy had thrown himself between.
Colonel Scott and myself. . Deeming the opening of communication
with Scott most important, I ordered Colonel Hart to charge the enemy
With two companies of his command. This he most gallantly did,.
*nd brought out fifty-nine prisoners — being the skirmishers of Pal-
iner's division — from within sight of the masses of the enemy. The
■u-cond engagement with the enemy was on the 12th instanfy near
Leet's tan-yard, where we fought for two hours Wilder's lightning,
biigade of mounted infantry. My force engaged in thisflfcit was tha-
sixth Georgia and Rucker's legion. It would be lmpossibWto pay toa.
high a tribute to the daring gallantry of my small force in this unequal
conflict with the picked brigado of General Crittenden's corps For
a time the tight was almost literally hand to hand. I was forced back
only about four huudred yards, which point I held during the night.
My loss in this fight was fifty killed and wounded, numbering some of
my most, valuable young officers. A correct list of killed and wounded
■will be forwarded. Our next meeting with the foe was on Saturday,
the 19th instant, on the memorable field of " the Cluckamauga."
Brigadier General Davidson, having reported for duty, was assigned to
the command of my old brigade. He was ordered to take position.
near Reed's saw mill. Before reaching it, he met and drove before
him the enemy's pickets, capturing some few of them ^orae time
atter this skirmish, whilst General Forrest and I were in front exam-
ining the roads. General Davidson was attacked- suddenly upon his
left. Hurrying back, I found it somewhat nitneult, aided by General;
Davidson and all ray officers, to get the command in a proper position
to repel the fierce attacks of the enemy's infantry. Ail the available
was soon, however, well posted, under the general direction of
General Forrest. It became at once apparent to all that we were
lights g overpowering numbers. General Forrest, having sent seve-
ral me.-sages for the infantry to come up, finally went for them him-
self, ordering me hold the position until their arrival. In obeying
this order, our loss was about one-fourth of the command, including
several officers. Nearly every colonel of the brigade had a horse shot
aiidcr him. Although the highest praise is duo to all the gallant men
engaged in this (for cavalry) remarkable fight, I must not omit men-

tioning particularly Colonel Goode, of the tenth Confederate cavalry,
whose horse was shot, and Captain Arnold, sixteenth battaiion Ten-
nessee cavalry, who was badly wounded. Our next engagement with
the enemy was Colonel Mint) 's brigade mounted infantry, being
a part of the rear-guard of General Rosencranz's army. After driving
his skirmishers for more than a mile, we found him strongly posted
on Missionary ridge. We drove him from one fine position, but were
unable to dislodge him from the summit ; from which, however, he
retired during the night. In holding the ground gained, my command
was subjected to a heavy fire of canister at three hundred yards range.
Both General Davidson and Colonel Scott lost several men, among
whom, I regret to say, was the gallant Lieutenant Colonel Fain, of the
sixth Georgia, badly wounded., The steadfastness with which both
brigades bore this artillery fire was admirable in the extreme, espe-
cially as evincing the discipline of the men. General Davidson again
met the enemy on the 22d, on the Chattanooga and Harrison road.
With a part of his brigade he attacked and routed the fifty- ninth Ohio
infantry, took a number of prisoners, arms, &?., and was prevented
from capturiog the brigade entire only by a mistake of one of his own
regiments, which fired upon the portion headed by himself.

It%ill be observed that my report is confined to the operations of
the brigade lately commanded by myself. This is because the other
brigades H the division have, in the exigencies of the service, been
eeparated^Pom me. For Colonel Scott's operations, I refer you to
his report, herewith enclosed.

I am, Major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN PEGRAM,
Brigadier General commanding Division Cavalry.

N. B. — General Davidson will furnish you, at the 'earliest oppor-
tunity, with a complete list of the casualties and captured property.

Respectfullv. &c,

JOHN PEGRAM,
Brigadier General,

REPORT OF COLONEL J. L. SCOTT, COMMANDING
CAVALRY BRIGADE.

Heaoqihrters Scott's Cavalry Brigade,
Chickamauga, September 24, 1863.

Mrjor A. R. H. Ransom, *

A. A A. (j. Peg-rani's Division of Cavalry:

Maj»: In accordance with orders from Brigadier General Pegram,
•1 herewith forward my report of the operations of this brigade during
the recent active operations of this army : After covering the
evacuation of East Tenne^ee, and removing all stores on the lines of
railroad as far as Ringgold, Georgia, I reported to General Pegram,
on the Chattanooga, and Lafayette road. On the 11th instant,
under orders from General Forrest, I proceeded to Ringgold, where
I encountered the advance of the enemy, General Crittenden's corps,
and, after a sharp skirmish, fell back towards. Daltcn, to a strong posi-
tion, which I held for two hours. Forced from it, I retreated slowly
on to Tunnel hill, lighting the euemy at every available point until
night, when re-inforeements from the command of General Forrest,
who had been present during the day directing the movements, ar-
rived. The next morning the enemy retired, and, following them, I
skirmished heavily with their rear, on the 12th and 13th instants, as
far as the Lafayette road, near Leet's tan-yard.

On the 14th, under orders from General Forrest, I returned to
Ringgold, and remained n,ear that place until the evening of the 17th
instant, when the enemy again advanced upon Ringgold from the di-
rection of Graysville. I marched out to meet them and drove them
back. That night the enomy encamped about five miles from Ring-
gold, on the Chattanooga road, with four regiments of infantry, one
of cavalry, and a battery. About midnight, with four companies of
the second Tennessee cavalry and one piece of artillery, I surprised
their camp, throwing the whole force into confusion. After a sharp
fight, I retired to my camp at Ringgold, the enemy not following.

On the 18th, by command of General Pegram, I proceeded to Red
house, nine miles from Chattanooga, and drove in the advance of the
enemy's reserve corps under General Granger. On the 19th I
inarched and engaged the enemy, seven regiments of infantry and a
battery, with two hundred men from my command, composed of the
second and fifth Tennessee, first Louisiana, the detachment of Mor-
gan's command, and the Louisiana battery of two rifle pieces and two
mountain howitzers. After a fierce engagement of several hours,
during which I drove the enemy more than two miles and disabled
one of their guns, my ammunition failing, I withdrew to my camp at
the creek, the enemy too much exhauatod to pursue. On the 21st, I
held the left of the road in General Pegram's attack upon Missionary
hill, and on the 2 id, under orders from Major General Cheatham, I
proceeded on his right, and, crossing Missionary ride, descended in

the valley to the Western and Atlantic railroad, about three mile?
from Chattanooga. Here I encountered the fifty-ninth Ohio infantry,
and drove them, in confusion, into Chattanooga. Following up, I at-
tacked the enemy in his entrenchments, and drove them from their first
line of rifle-pits. ^Ni^ht coming on. General Pegrain ordered me to
withdraw my command to the top of the ridge, and on the next morn-
ing to this place.

It is impossible to state the loss of the enemy, but, from all informa-
tion obtained, their loss in killed and wounded on the I 9th amounted
to over one hundred, besides one of General Whitaker's staff officers
and seven privates prisoners. My entire prisoners araoung^to four
commissioned officers and thirty privates. On the 22d I captured
about seventy-five fine rifles for my unarmed men.

My own loss foots up as follows : In the second Tennessee — Killed :
officers, two ; privates, three. Wounded: officers, one ; men, thirteen.
In the fifth Tennessee cavalry — Killed : men, two. Wounded : officers,
two; privates, twelve. In the detachment of General Morgan's com-
mand— Killed : three men. Wounded : officers, one ; men, six. In the
first Louisiana, one man.wounded ; and in the Louisiana battery, three
men wounded and fifteen horses killed. Total killed, two officers and
eight men. Wounded: officers, four; men, thirty-five. Total loss,
forty-nine.

Of the conduct of both officers and men I cannot speak too highly.
All displayed the utmost bravery and gallantry. When every one
did so well, it is impossible to particularize individual instances of
gallantry, but in the death of Captain Ford and Lieutenant Crozier,
second Tennessee cavalry, I have lost two brave and gallant officers,
whose places it will be most difficult to fill..

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. L. SCOTT,
Colonel commanding Brigade of Cavalry.

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL B. R. JOHNSON, COM-
MANDING DIVISION.

Headquarters Chattanooga, Oct. 21, 1863.

Major W. Sellers,

% Assistant Adjutant General :

Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the part.
taken by the division under ray command in the action of the Chicka
mauga :

At five o'clock, A M., September 18th, 1863, four brigades ancl
three batteries of artillery from Catoosa station, and vicinity of Ring-
gold, Georgia, moved, under my command, with orders from head-
quarters army of Tennessee, to proceed via Pleasant Grove church
to Leet's tin-yard. Law's brigade, under Colonel Sheffield, not hav-
ing cooked its rations, was ordered to do so, and follow as promptly
as possible. Benning's brigade was left, in compliance with orders,
to guard the depot at Ringgold. My command then consisted of thp
following brigades, which moved m the order in which they are named,
viz : Johnson's, McNair's, Gregg's and Robertson's, with batteriee.
Everett's, Culpeper'a and Bledsoe's, in the centre, and trains in rear
of their respective brigades. The head of the column had not pro-
ceeded more than three miles on the road when a despatch was re-
ceived from Colonel Brent, headquarters army of Tennessee, direct-
ing me, with the forces under my command, to retrace my steps to
the vicinity of Ringgold, and there to tike the direct road to Reed's
bridge and to make a lodgment on the west bank of the Chickaraauga,
Forrest's cavalry covering the front and right flanks of my column
on the march from Ringgold. The command was promptly put on the
new line of march, and soon after I received orders and the plan of
operations, by which I was directed, as commander of the right col-
umn of the army of Tennessee, to attack the enemy in my front, in
whatever force I might find them, and, after crossing Reed's bridges,
to turn to the left by the most practicable route and sweep up the
Chickamauga, towards Lee & Gordon's mill, while Major General <*
Walker and Buckner, crossing at Alexanders bridge and Ledford's
ford, were directed to join in my movement. The orders and plans
of operations indicated that the cttack on the enemy's left wing was
expected to be initiated by the column under my command.

About eleven o'clock, A. M., in compliance with orders previously
received, I halted the column near Ruler's mill, on the Graysville and
Lafayette road, four and a half miles from the former place. Cap-
tain Thompson, assistant chief of artillery of General Bragg's staff,
reported to me at this point, with orders to move forward immediately,
and through him my arrival and the hour thereof was reported to
headquarters army of Tennessee.

Being informed by citizens that the enemy were about one mile in
advance, I formed a line of battle along tho road — McNair's, Johnson's

and Gregg's biigadea in front, batteries in position, and Robertson's bri-
gade in reserve. While forming the line, Brigadier General Forrest
joined me with his escort, and proceeded to the front to develop the
position of the enemy, and was soon skirmishing with them. Just as
my line was formed, Major Robertson came up from the direction of
Lafayette and reported to me, with eight pieces of artillery. My
iine of skirmishers in front was now promptly advanced to Peavino
creek, which offered some obstructions to regular movements, and
caused some delay in crossing the troops. Captain McDonald, of#the
seventeenth Tennessee regiment, opened fire with his company upon
the enemy's pickets, about one hundred and tigbty yards west of
the creek, and repulsed a charge of their reserve, which was made
down the road to the creek. Major Robertson placed some four pieces
of artillery from his own command and a section of Everett's bat-
tery in position, and opened upon the enemy, part of whom weie
dismounted, driving them back, with a section of artillery, which
:hey had posted in good position. As soon as the command could
cross the creek, the line, preserving its formation, with Robertson's
brigade supporting, MeNair's on the right, was pressed forward to
the top of the hill, dislodging the enemy from a second position.
The cavalry, en the right, kept up the skirmishing daring the ascent.
We found in front of the seventeenth Tennessee regiment three Yan-
kees killed and one mortally wounded. It was now ascertained that
the enemy's force consisted of three or four regiments of mounted
men. Pressing down the western declivity of this hill, the enemy
were again found in position at Reed's bridge, over which they had
passed.

The skirmishers of the twenty-third Tennessee regiment becoming
engaged, the whole regiment, supported by the brigade, charged, with
a shout and run, and drove off the Yankees before they could destroy
the bridge. The twenty-third Tennessee regiment here had five men
wounded. After our skirmishers and some of the regiments had
passed, the enemy opened a battery on the bridge, which was silenced
by a section of Bledsoe's artillery.

Lieutenant Hastings, of the seventeenth Tennessee regiment, was
wounded at the bridge by the enemy's artillery.

My command commenced crossing the Chickamauga about three
o'clock, P. M. Major General Hood having appeared in the column,
I reported to him, and submitted to him my orders just before passing
:he bridge, in person. Having crossed the Chickamauga, partly by
the bridge and partly by the ford above the bridge, by four o'clock,
P. M., the command advanced to Jay's steam saw mill, about one mile
west of Reed's bridge, where there are two roads leading to Alexan-
der's bridge. I ordered the formation to be preserved, and the line
of battle, extending across the right hand or western road, to move
forward.

General Hood, however, here took command, and directed one regi-
ment of Gregg's brigade to be marched in line of battle, extending
across the le!t hand or eastern road, the other regiments of the com-
mand to bo moved in the rear along that road in column of companies.

Marching in this order, we proceeded rapidly past a burning house
near Alexander's ford, penetrating between the enemy and the Chioka-
niauga to a point nearly opposite their centre, about two miles and a
half from the steam saw mill and about one mile west of Dalton's
ford, when, in the daikness of the evening, the skirmishers at the head
of the column became engaged, and Gregg's brigade was immediately de-
ployed under a sharp fire, which wounded three men, one (first sergeant
of company D, seventh Texas regiment) mortally. McNair's and
Johnson's brigades were immediately deployed, facing southwest, and
supporting Gregg's brigade. Robertson's brigade formed a line near
the wagon train in rear, facing northwest, while the forty-fourth Ten-
nessee regiment, of Johnson's brigade, remained as rear-guard of the
train. Our front line was now about eight hundred yards from Yin-
yard's house, on the road from Chattanooga to Lee & Gordon's mill.
The whole Yankee army was in our front — mainly at Lee & Gordon's
mill — on our right flank and rear ; while our army was still on the
east side of the Ohickamauga. My command was the first to cross
this stream, and none of our troops crossed at any point until our
column had swept the west bank in* front of their respective places of
crossing. One-third of our forces was required to reman) awake dur-
ing the night, and the rest slept upon their arms.

Obstructions to cavalry were hastily placet! in out front, skirmishers
were thrown out to the field east of V my aid's house, one hundred and
fifty yards in front of our left flank, and scouts were sent out nearly
to the road to Lee & Gordon's mill.

September 19th, 1863. On making an examination of our position,
early in the morning, I discovered that our skirmishers were within
one hundred and fifty yards of General Preston's division, which had
crossed the Ohickamauga at Dalton's ford during the night, that our
line was iu front and nearly perpendicular to hi-;, and that most of
our army had crossed at points lower down, placing our column near
the left of our army. Major Robertson, with his eight pieces of artil-
lery, was now detached from my command, and Robertson's brigade
was united with the other brigades of Hood's division, under Briga-
dier General Law, which had come up during the night, leaving three
brigades under my command; These two divisions were placed under
the command of Major Geucral Hood.

Our line of battle was formed about seven o'clock, A. M., in a
curve around the crest of an elevation in the woods, about one thou-
sand yards east of the Chattanooga and Lee & Gordon's null road.
My right brigade faced nearly west and my left brigade a^out southwest.
In my division, Johnson's brigade, commanded by Colonel John S.
Fukon, of the forty- fourth Tennessee regiment, was placed on the
right, Gregg's brigade on the left, and McNair's brigade in reserve, in
rear of Gregg's brigade. Everett's battery was posted in position on
the right of Johnson's brigade, and iiled-oe's first Missouri battery
on the right of Gregg's brigade. Captain Culpeper's three guns
were held iu reserve in rear of McNair's brigade. Law's division
was posted on my right and Preston's ou my left, a little retired, so
that the left of the fiftieth Tennessee regiment, on the left of Gregg's

brigade, was thrown back with a view to form a connection which wan
never regularly made. The fighting commenced on the right of opt
army, about half a mile northwest of the burnt houec. near Alexander's
bridge. The first gun was fired at half past seven. A. M.

About two o'clock, P. M., the enemy in my front advanced atid
drove in my skirmishers. I ordered Bledsoe's and Everett's batteries
to open fire, and Culpeper's battery was brought into action on the
left of Gi egg's brigade. These guns all fired in a direction beaiing
towards Vinyard's house, from which direction the attack seemed
mainly to come. The right of Gregg's and the left of Johnson's brig-
ades repulsed the attack in that vicinity, but the engagement still
continued on the left of Gregg's brigade, where the left regiments
were suffering severely. The fiftieth Tennessee regiment lost twelve
killed and forty-five wounded before it moved from its position. About
half-past two o'clock, P. M., by direction of Major General Hood,
having instructed my artillery to move with the infantry and to come
into action whenever opportunity permitted, particularly cautioned
my command to preserve its connections, to wheel slowly and to touch
to the right^ 1 ordered the division to advance and engage the enemy.
This movement did not extend to the division on my left. In front
of Gregg's brigade the woods presented a thick undergrowth, in which
that brigade at once becoming hotly engaged, its progress was im-
peded, while Johnson's brigade advanced some six hundred yards be-
fore the enemy opened fire upon it. The artillery advanced and fired
by section, keeping well up with the infantry. Gregg's brigade ad-
vanced some three hundred yards, obliquing in endeavoring, under
fire, to keep the connection to the right. The connection, however,
was broken in the thick woods, between the second and third battalions,
the two light regiments preserving their connection with the line on
their right, and wheeling with it to the right, the third and fourth
regiments, advancing less obliquely, faced more to the south, while
the left regiment of that brigade, the fiftieth Tennessee regiment,
under Colonel Suggs, moved more directly to its front, which was in a
southern direction, owing to the left having been thrown back to con-
nect with Preston's division, and at the same time it stretched out to
the right, just north of Yinyard's fields, to cover the increasing inter-
val, until nearly the whole regiment was deployed in open order as
skirmishers.. This movement of the fiftieth Tennessee regiment was
induced by the heavy attack of the enemy on that flank, but it did not
succeed in preserving the connection and it became separated front
the brigade. In this condition, the brigade fought gallantly and kept
up a heavy fire all along its broken line and inflicted heavy losses on
the enemy.

Two regiments of McNair's brigade, the thirty-ninth North Caro-
lina regiment, under Colonel Coleman, and the twenty-fifth Arkansas
regim rit, under Lieutenant Colonel. Hupstalder, were sent forward
between the fiftieth Tennessee regiment and the brigade to which it
belongs. These two regiments came up to the left of the seventh
Texas regiment, of Gregg's brigade, about four hundred yards in
front of the position from which my line had moved, and advanced

gallantly to the road from Chattanooga to Lee & Gordon's mill,
north of Vinyard's farm, and left still a wide interval on the right of
the fiftieth Tennessee regiment, which regiment continued to present
an extended line and to fight gallantly and persistently the heavy
forces in front, while its ranks were being continually thinned. It
will be seen by the report of Colonel Coleman, of the thirty-ninth
North Carolina regiment, forwarded herewith, that the two regiments
from Gregg's brigade drove the enemy in rapid flight across the Chat-
tanooga road, and passed a small house in a corn-field west of the
road, and north of Vinyard's house ; and that here, though the enemy
in their front were in flight and broken, those regiments fell back for
want of support, and on account of reinforcement received by the
enemy, and a Hank fire on the left.

In the meantime, the brigade of Brigadier General Robertson, of
Hood's division, vr.? brought up and advanced on the right of the
fiftieth Tennessee regiment, which now contracted its line and con-
centrated its fire upon the enemy on the left in the vicinity of
Vinyard's. Under the spirited charge and heavy fire of Robertson's
brigade, the enemy were driven back some distance. The operations
of the brigade will be more propeily reported by its division com-
mander. It will, however, be proper for me to state that, during a
bait, before Robertson's brigade reached the Chattanooga road, Brig-
adier General Gregg rode out in front to reconnoitre the enemy's po-
sition. He very soon found himself near the enemy's line, and was
suddenly halted by the Yankee skirmishers. Turning his horse to
ride back to the rear, he was shot through the neck. Having fallen
from his horse, the Yankees proceeded to take from his person his
spurs and sword, when Robertson's brigade charged forward and re-
covered possession of him and his horse.

Crigadier General Gregg deserves special commendation for his
gallantry and activity on the field. The brigade which he commanded
is an excellent one, and is commanded by a worthy and able officer.

Colonel Suggs, of the fiftieth Tennessee regiment, also merits par-
ticular notice for the manner in which he from time to tfmo disposed
his regiment and protected our flank, which was necessarily exposed
in our advance, as the movement did not extend to the division on
our left. While these operations weie going on in my left brigade,
the right one, Johnson's, with which the forty-first Tennessee regi-
ment, under Lieutenant Colonel James I). Tillman-, and the third Ten-
nessee regiment, under Colonel C. II. Walker, of Gregg's brigade,
preserved their connection, having advanced some six hundrod
yards, received the fire of the enemy's artillery and infantry and be-
came hotly engaged. The enemy were posted upon rising ground.
A battery swept our ranks with grape-shot, while their infantry de-
liver d heavy volleys from small arms. The contest continued here
nearly an hour, when the enemy, after a stubborn resistance, gradu-
ally retired to an open woods, beyond the road from Chattanooga to
Lee k Gordon's mill ; approaching the road, a part of the brigade
halted and poured its fire into the enemy's ranks, now in full view,
two hundred yards in front; again advanced, crossed the road, gained

the cover of the woods on the left of the field in which the enemy's
battery was posted, a clearing, with enclosure * intervening. The
iwenty-fifth Tennessee regiment, under Lieut. Colonel R. B. Snowdcn,
and part of the twenty-third Tennessee, regiment now wheeled to the
right, moved on the flank of the battery, gained the cover of a fence
north of the clearing, poured into it a few vollies, charged and cap-
tured the battery. This was well and gallantly done, and Lieutenant
Colonel Snowdon, with the officers and men under his command, de-
serve especial consideration for the manner in which the movement
•was accomplished. The remainder of the brigade, save about one-
third of the right regiment, now crossed the road. The seventeenth
Tennessee, the left regiment, had moved about two hundred yards be-
yond it, and the third and forty* first Tennessee regiment? of Gregg's
brigade, which had continued to move with Johnson's brigade, had
advanced somewhat farther, when the enemy, marching by the flank,
suddenly appeared on the left and rear of the last, two regiments.
Colonel Walker, of the third Tennessee regiment, oa discovering
this movement, faced his regiment by the rear rank and moved back
across the road, while Colonel Tillman hastened to communicate the
knowledge of the movement to Colonel Fulton, commanding Johnson's
brigade. The movement of the enemy down the Chattanooga road
was so prompt, that they penetrated cur line on the left of Johnson's
brigade, filed off to the left and fired a volley into its rear. This bri-
gade now moved by one impulse to the right and fell back to the east
of the road from Chattanooga to Lee & Gordon's mill, leaving eleven
officers, (including Major Davis, of the seventeenth Tennessee regi-
ment,) sixty men, and the captured battery, in the hands of the
enemv. In the meantime the third and fort\ -first regiments Tennes-
see volunteers, which were falling to the rear, were placed in position
by Captain W. T. Blakemore, my aid-de-camp, who was on duty in
that part of the field and discovered this movement of the enemy,
and, by his instruction, charged the column which had so suddenly
appeared in our rear and drove it back. Colonel Walker aow placed
these regiments diagonally across the road, the right advanced, facing
the enemy, in which position I ordered him to remain for a time. I
have no doubt that we have encountered a portion of McCook's corps
of the Federal array, moving to support their left. Our scouts thrown
out in front of our skirmishers, and my brigade inspector, Lieutenant
Black, after a personal reconnosisance, had previously reported the
enemy moving artillery and infantry in that direction. With the
heavy force of the enemy still in vicinity of Lee & Gordon's mill and
thit- advance of my division, unsupported by any movement on my left,
was pushed quite as far as was judicious.

Finding my line now, about sun.-et, quite irregular in- its forma-
tion, I proceeded immediately to reform it, in the woods, about six
hundred yards east of the road from Chattanooga to Lee & Gordon's
mill, when, by order of Major General Hood, temporary breastworks
of timber were put up along the line, behind which my command
rested during the night, with skirmishers thrown out to the road.
During this brief engagement, the loss of the division was quite

heavy The third Tennessee regiment reports twelve men killed and
forty-five wounded before it was ordered to advance. The seventh
Texas regiment had several killed and wounded at the same time.
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas W. Beaumont, well and honorably known
in civil as well as military life. Captain Williams and two other com-
pany officers of the fiftieth Tennessee regiment were killed, seven
officers wounded and one missing, while it lost heaviry in men. The
forty-fourth Tennessee regiment had Lieutenant Colonel John L.
McEwing, Jr , commanding, a gallant and able officer, who has ren-
dered faithful and efficient service in our army, and five company
officers wounded, one (Captain Samuel Jackson) mortally. It, lost
about fifty men wounded and six killed, one of whom (Serjeant T. A.
Johnson) was particularly distinguished for gallantry. The command
of this regiment now devolved upon Major G M. Crawford The
seventeenth Tennessee regiment had one officer killed and two officers
and twenty men wounded. Colonel N B Granbury, of the seventh
Texas. Major S. H. Colmes, of the first Tennessee battalion, and
Major Lowe, of the twenty-third Tennessee regiment, were severely
wounded. The twenty-third Tennessee lost, in all, one officer and
five men killed, five officers wounded, and fifty-eight men wounded
and captured. The losses of the other regiments are not reported in
this connection. Captain Jackson, of the forty-fourth Tennessee
regiment, has since died of his wounds. Known to me long and fa-
miliarly in youth and manhood ns Captain Samuel Jacks in has been,
I feel unable to do justice to his many virtues, his pure and admira-
ble character, or his merits as an officer and soldier.

On Sunday, September 20th, I8>3, my line was formed by seven
o'clock, A. M., with McNair's brigade on the right, Johnson's brigade
in the centre, and two regiments — the fiftieth Tennessee reginunt
and the first Tennessee battalion, consolidated, under Major C. W.
Robertson, and the seventh Texas, under Major Van Zant — on the
left. The rest of Gregg's brigade, commanded by Colonel Suggs,
formed a second line. Culpepper's battery was placed in position on
the right of McNair's brigade, Everett's on the right of Johnson's
brigade, and Bledsoe's on the right of the two regiments in the front
line from Gregg's brigade. Hindman's division formed on my left,
and Stewart's on my right ; Hood's division, commanded by Briga-
dier General Law, formed in rear of my division, giving us a depth
of three lines. About ten o'clock, A. M., our skirmishers fell back
under the advance of the enemy. My line promptly opened a steady
fire with artillery and small arms, which soon repulsed the attack.
Ten minutes after eleven o'clock, A. M., a general advance was
ordered, which, commencing somewhere on the right, included flind-
man's division on the left. The enemy occupied the ground in our
front, along the road leading from Chattanooga to Lee & Gordon's
mill. Their line was formed along the fence at Biotherton's house,
and they had a battery in the open field south of the house, where
Johnson's brigade had captured a battery on Saturda}'. The enemy
also occupied two lines of breastworks, made of rails and timber,
extending along my front and to the left of it, in the woods weet of

Brothertbn's farm. "By order of Major General Hood, I moved my
division forward and at once engaged the enemy. We advanced
abcut six hundred yards through the woods, under a heavy tire of
artillery and infantry, which awept our ranks with terrific effect, and
crossed the road to Lee & Gordon's mill, the left brigades of my divis-
ion passing on either side of Brothcrtou's house. Our charge was
irresistible, and" the Yankees who did not flee were killed and cap-
tured at the fences and out-houses. Among the latter is especially
mentioned Colonel F. A. Bartleson, of the one hundredth Illinois
regiment, who was captured, with many others, by Johnson's brigade.

Everett's battery now took a position in a field south of Brother-
ton's house and opened to the front and left, firing about six rounds
to the piece, and my line again moved forward under a heavy fire from
the enemy's breastworks. The fire was so heavy that my right brig-
ade faltered for a moment and some of the men commenced falling
back, but it was soon rallied and moving forward again. My whole
line, Gregg's brigade in rear, supported by Hood's division, under
Law. in a third line, swept forward with great force and rapidity and
carried the breastworks, from which the foe precipitately retreated,
under a heavy fire, particularly directed to the left, from my left
brigade. Having advanced some distance in the woods west of
Broiherton's farm, to the foot of a small ascent covered with a thick
growth of young pines, my right brigade halcel under the effect of a
heavy fire, which was also severely damaging my second line. Colo-
nel Suggs now pushed to the front the three regiments of Gregg's
brigade which had formed my second line. Johnson's brigade moving
to the left at the samo time, and again my line advanced rapidly on
the enemy, driving them from the woods east of Dyer's h1 use,
McNair's brigade bearing to the right.

Our lines now emerged from the forest into open ground on the
border of long open fields, over which the enemy were retreating,
under cover of> several batteries, which were ranged along the crest of
a ridge on our right and front, running up to the corner of a stubble-
field, and of one battery on our left anci front, posted on an elevation
in the edge of the woods, just at the corner of a field near a peach
orchard and southwest of Dyer's house. The scene now presented
unspeakably grand. The resolute and impetuous charge, the
ritrl- "f our heavy columns, swooping out from the shadow and gloom
ef Li i forest into the open fields, flopded with sunlight, the glitter of
arms, the onward dash of artillery and mounted men, the retreat of
the foe, the shouts of the hosts of our army, the dust, the smoke,
the noise of fire-arms, of whistling balls and grape-shot, and of burst-
ing shell, made up a battle scene of unsurpassed grandeur. Here
General Hood gave me the last order I received from him on the field :
••Go ahead and keep ahead of everything." How this order was
obeyed will be lest determined by those who investigate all the
details of this battle.

The unusual depth of our columns of attack, in this part of the
field and the force and power with which it was thrown upon tho
enemy's Hue had now completely broken and routed their centro and

cast the shattered fragments to the right and left. Everett's battery
■was here ordered into action on the right of Johnson's brigade and
opened upon the retreating foe, while my line continued to advance.
There was now an interval of eight hundred yards between Hind-
man's division on my lefc and my command. Johnson's brigade, on the
left, bore but slightly to the right, its left regiment stretching across
the road from Dyer's house to Crawfish road, and passing on both
sides of the house. Gregg's brigade, in the centre, moved a little to
the right, so as to flank and capture nine pieces of artillery, on its
right, posted on the ascent to the eminence, in the corner of the field
north of Dyer's house. McNair's brigade, now somewhat in rear of
the two left brigades, moved obliquely to the right and directly upon
the eminence. My line was here uncovered by Hood's division, which
must have changed its direction to the right.

The nine pieces captured by Gregg's brigade are reported by Col.
Suggs, commanding, as having been taken from the field by a detail
under Adjutant Fletcher Beaumont, of the fiftieth Tennessee regi-
ment, who caused ;hc Yankee drivers to diive some of the teams to
the rear. Four of these pieces — three-inch rifles — belonged to the
first Missouri Federal battery, and are now in possession of the first
Missouri Confederate buttery, (Bledsoe's,) attached to Gregg's brig-
ade. A statement made by Adjutant Beaumont in regard to the cap-
ture is herewith enclosed.

In this advance, Brigadier General E. MeNair, commanding the
right brigade, and Colonel Harper, of the first Arkansas regiment,
.if that brigade, were wounded — the latter mortally, and the command
of McNair's brigade devolved upon Colonel Coleman, of the thirty-
ninth North Carolina regiment. Colonel Coleman reports that
McNair's brigade charged and carried the eminence in the corner of
the field to our right, capturing the ten guns, eight of which were
immediately carried off, and two were subsequently removed, and that
the brigade fell back f( r want of ammunition and support, and formed
on the left of Robertson's brigade, of Hood's division. Whether
Colonel Coleman's report has any reference, in this connection, to
the nine guns, reported as captured by Gregg's brigade, or whether
there is any point of dispute between these two brigades as to cap-
tured artillery, I cannot now determine. McNair's brigade has been
detached from this army, and I am unable to communicate with it in
time to make my report explicit on this point.

In the meantime, I discovered what I conceived to be an impor-
tant position, directly in our front — an elevated ridge of open ground,
running nearly north and south, beyond the narrow strips of woods
•on the western borders of the open fields in our front and about six
hundred yards west of the elevation on which the nine pieces of artil-
lery had been captured, and I hastened to press forward Gregg's brig-
ade, which had halted for a moment on the flank ef the guns that
were being removed, whilo Johnson's brigade approached the same
position from the left. From the crest of this ridge the ground
descends abruptly into a cornti- Id and cove, lying south of Vilietoe'a
houso. "West of the cove in a range of the Missionary ridge, while

north of it a spur of that ridge spreads out to the east. Through a
gap at the angle between this spur on the north and the ridge on the
west of the cove and about one thousand yards from the ridge on the
east, where ray division was now taking position, passes the Craw-
fish road, which continues south along the base of the ridge on the
western side of the cove. Along this road a line of telegraph >vires
extended from Chattanooga to General Rosencranz's headquarters, and
at the gorge of the gap a train of wagons filled the roid, while a
number of caissons and a battery of artillery, for defence of the train,
occupied the grounds near "Villetoe's house.

The ridge on the east ot the cove was taken without resistance,
though the enemy had there constructed a breastwork of rails, and had
filled up a large number of their knapsacks, secure, as they doubtless
thought, from the danger of the battle-field. As soon as this ridge
was occupied, which was a few minutes before twelve, M., our advance
position, commanded by adjacent hills and separated on the right and
left as far as I could see from our troops, induced me immediately to
send my aid-de-cair.p, Captain Blakcmore, to report our position to
Lieutenant General Longstreet, commanding our wing, and to bring
up artillery and infantry to our support, v. hile I disposed of my com-
mand for defence. Gregg's brigade was at once posted, partly facing
to the north, at the edge of the woods at the north end of the field,
and partly facing to the west, along a portion of the adjacent ridge.
Johnson's brigade was posted, facing to the ^est, on the crest of the
ridge, about one hundred yards to the left of Gregg's brigade. Both
brigades immediately advanced their skirmishers to the front.

\Vhen I discovered the train of wagons at the gorge of the Crawfish
road, the enemy were making every effort to get them away. I
promptly posted Everett's battery on the ridge between Johnson's
and Gregg's brigades, when it opened fire on the train. The fire of
the artillery and some fchots from our advancing skirmishers, created
the utmost consternation among the drivers and teams, causing some
of the wagons to be up-*et, and others to be run against trees and up
the precipitous acclivities adjacent. Lieutenant Everett also sent
forward one piece of artillery to a knoll in the corn-field, south of
Villetoe's house, which fired up the gorge along the Crawfish road.
A few shots were fired upon us from a battery of the enemy posted
on the high ground north of our position, to which Everett'8 artillery
replied, firing about six rounds, when the enemy ceased firing on us.
A ball from Lieutenant Everett's battery dismounted one of the guns
(a rifle piece) near Villetoe's house, by breaking the axletree. Our
skirmishers now advanced and took possession of the wagons, caissons
and guns. Lieutenant Everett sent forward two teams and hauled off
one Napoleon gun and caisson, attaching, for that purpose, the
limber of a six-pound gun found near by the Napoleon, for which no
limber was found. This gun has since been ascertained, to be one of
the guns of Lumsden's battery, captured by the enemy on the 19th,
and has been returned to that battery. Beside the two pieces above-
named, a six-pounder smooth-bore and another piece, description not
now known, and seven caissons were captured. The wagons con-

tained some quartermaster's property, but were mainly loaded with
ammunition for artillery and infantry. Two of General Rosencranz's
escort and Captain Hescock, of the first Missouri Federal light artil-
lery, battery G, were captured on the side of the ridge west of
Villetoe's house, where many other prisoners were picked up by our
ekirmishers. My engagements were such at this period as to prevent
me from looking after or estimating the number or value of articles
captured. Many of the wagons were subsequently removed by other
commands in rear of mine. I now estimate the wagons captured at
about thirty, a few of which had teams attached.

Before making any disposition for a further advance, I found it
necessary to replenish o'ur supply of ammunition, and, consequently,
I ordered up a supply from the rear and distributed it to the most of
the regiments of my command. Subsequently we drew our ammuni-
tion from the captured train. Lieutenant Bl ick, of my staff, now
brought up Dent's battery of Napoleon guns, of Ilindraan's division,
which he found somewhere on our left, and placed three pieces on
the ridge in the northwest corner of the field we occupied. No
general officer or reinforcements having come up, and seeing no troops
in my vicinity, my aids having been long absent in search of support,
I became impatient at the delay. Giving orders that our position should
be held at all hazards, I galloped off, in person, in search of support.
Having swung slightly to the right from our first position, the con-
nection was broken on our left, and I could see no troops in that
direction. It subsequently appears that General Ilindman's division
gallantly drove back to the west and south the enemy's line in his
front and on my left, inflicting a heavy loss on them and thus reliev-
ing us from danger in that direction.

Riding towards our right and roar some half a mile, I came upon
Brigadier General Kershaw advancing with his brigade through the
open field upon the eminence near to which wo had captured the bat-
tery of nine guns in our advance, and where I saw the United States
flag now floating, the position having been reoccupied by the enemy.
Here I learned that Major General Hood had been wounded. Colonel
Cunningham of his staff, informed me that Brigadier General Ker-
shaw's brigade was much needed to attack the position in its front, and
I consequently had to seek further for support. I sent Captain Blake-
more, who jjined me here, te find and bring up General McNair's
brigade, and, after riding sometime, I found on the road, approaching
my command, Major General Jlindman and Brigadier General Ander-
son, to whom my aid hail communicated my necessities and wishes.
Being informed that Brigadier General Deas' brigade would move to
support my left and that General Anderson was then advancing to
£11 up the vacancy on my right, I returned to my command with a
view to driving the enemy from my flank, directed Dent's battery to
open fire to the rear of the eminence, about six hundred yards to our
right, on which I had seen the United States flag Heating, and on
which I left Kershaw's brigade advancing.

More than an hour had now been spent in this position, and I
resolved to press forward my line, even before support reached me.
7

I therefore proceeded to form my line, facing to the north, along and
in continuation of the north end of the field ; Gregg's brigade on the
right and Johnson's brigade on the left, extending through the corn-
field south of Villetoes' house and to the Crawfish road. My line
being formed, I was advised that the enemy occupied the ridge beyond
Villetoes' corn-field and west of the Crawfish road, and it therefore
became necessary to protect our left flank by skirmishers thrown out
in that direction from Johnson's brigade. The advance commenced
about the time Deas' brigade formed, facing to the west, on the ridge
we had just left. I directed Brigadier General Deas' to move his
brigade directly to its front until his right flank should reach the
position of my left, then to wheel to the rights sweeping the ridge west
of the Crawfish road, and come up and form on the left of my line of
battle.

The crest of the spur of Missionary ridge north of Villetoes' house
extends east and west in its general direction, but crosses to the south
about the middle. At the east and west ends of the crest are the most
elevated points of the spurs. On the slope north of the west end is
Snodgrass' house, at which were the headquarters of Generals Rosen-
cranz and Thomas during the latter part of the battle. Towards the
south j^ slope from the crest is gradual for some distance in several
places ;^ind especially so at the west end, and terminates towards the
cove in an abrupt, secrated declivity, presenting to our approach from
the south several secondary spurs or knobs, with intervening short
ravines. Along the crest of this spur the last desperate struggle of
the northern army was made at the battle of Chickamauga.

Gregg's and Johnson's brigades, followed by Dent's and Everett's
batteries, advanced in line towards the north, the left passing over the
wagons, caissons and pieces of artillery near Villetoes' house and
reaching to the Crawfish road. There were a number of wounded
Federals at Villetoes' house. The ladies of the family, who had taken
shelter from danger on Saturday and Sunday beneath the floor, now
burst forth and greeted our soldiers with slapping of hands and shouts
of joy, presenting an impressive scene. The brow of the secondary
spurs north of Villetoes' house were gained without resistance by
Gregg's and Johnson's brigades, and by Anderson's, which had come
up on our right, during our advance. The line was then halted, the
alignment connected, and the two regiments of Gregg's brigade which
were formed on the left of my line in the morning now returned to
their brigade. Four of Dent's Napoleon guns and Everett's battery
of three guns were placed in position on the spur occupied by John-
son's brigade, and two "pieces of Dent's battery were placed upon the
hill with Gregg's brigade. There was now no support on the left of
Johnson's brigade, though Deas' brigade was every moment expected
there.

A few minutes before two o'clock, P. M., after the artillery had
opened fire, the order was given to advance from this position with a
view of gaining the main crest of the ridge in our front, which was
some one thousand yards distant on our left, but much nearer on our
right on account of its curvature to the south in the middle. The

enemy opened fire upon our left before it advanced one hundred yards.
Our movement was, however, continued for a time, until my left formed
a position in which it was enabled to hold the enemy in check. But
the Federals moved up on our flank along a secondary spur, which
united at the elevation at the west end of the main ridge with that
upon which Johnson's brigade was fighting, and this movement wa3
held in check sometime by our troops firing obliquely to the left. The
advance of Brigadier General Anderson on our extreme right was 3
gallant and impetuous charge. It encountered a heavy force of the
enemy posted in a strong position, from which they poured a volume
of fire that speedily repulsed the charge. Gregg's brigade gained the
crest of the ridge, after a sharp contest driving the foe down the
northern slope of the ridge and delivering a damaging fire in the re-
treating masses ; but the enemy returned to the attack, and there
being now no support on our right, the line commenced falling back
on the flank, just after Lieutenant Colonel Tillman, commanding the
forty- first Tennessee regiment, was disabled by a wound. The third'
Tennessee regiment, with about forty men of the fiftieth Tennessee
and seventh Texas regiments, on the left of this brigade, churns to have
held its advanced position until Johnson's brigade fell back under the
flank movement of the enemy on its left, In retiring, this, regiment
had six men captured. As my line fell back, our artillery' opened
with canister, and was gallantly served under fire of the enemy's
infantry until the troops, rallying in line at the batteries, repulsed the
charge of the foe.

I now gave orders to hold the hill, and await the reinforcements
from Hindman's division momentarily expected. Soon Manigault's
brigade was seen advancing in line of battle through Yilletoe's corn-
field, in the cove in our rear. As it came up on the left of my line,
Brigadier General Deas reported in person, having with his brigade
swept the ridge west of the Crawfish road. Having sent a staff officer
to place these two brigades in line on my left, I rode toward the right,
and met General Ilindman, who directed me to take command of the
left wing and wheel to the right, making the right of my division the
pivot. McNairs brigade, under Colonel Coleman, now came up and
formed a line in rear of the left of my division. I also detailed ten
men from Johnson's brigade to assist in working the guns of Dent's
battery.

Our line, from left to right, was formed of brigades in the following
order, viz : Deas', Manigault's, Johnson's, Gregg's and Anderson's,
with McNair's brigade in rear of Johnson's. Deas' brigade occupied
the brow of the steep spur which forms the north side of the gorge,
through which the Crawfish road passes Missionary ridge. Mani-
gault's stretched across the ravine and extended up the side of the
adjacent spur to the right, on which Johnson's and MeNair's brigades*
with seven pieces of artillery, were posted. Gregg's brigade was
formed on a spur of some greater length, extending more towards the
east, and separated in part from the main ridge by a hollow, with a
piece of table land at its head to the west. Anderson's brigade was
-formed in two lines on the right, the front line extending up to tie

100

elope of the spur on which Gregg's brigade was formed, on the left
and across the hollow on the right. The section of Dent's artillery
vritli Gregg's brigade in the last attack was now moved to the hollow
on the right, ready to be run up by hand on the main ridge as soon
as it should be carried. Kershaw's brigade was somewhere on the
ri^ht of, but not connected with, Anderson's brigade.

I proceeded in person to put the line in motion. Commencing with
Beas' brigade, and giving careful instructions to preserve the dress
and connection to the right, I passed alorg the line until I saw it all
gallantly moving forward. A most obstinate struggle now com-
menced for the possession of this spur of Missionary ridge — the last
stronghold of the enemy on the battle-field of Chickamauga. Our
artillery opened on the brow of the ridge, and the infantry became
immediately engaged. The firing was very heavy on both sides, and
showed that the enemy were in strong force in our front, supported
by artillery posted near the junction of the two spurs on which Deas'
and Johnson's brigades respectively moved. Our hne pressed deter-
minedly forward for some time, keeping up an incessant fire with
small arms. But the enemy now evidently received reinforcements
of fresh troops, which advanced with a shout that was heard all along
our lines, and we were driven back to our guns. It was subsequently
ascertained from prisoners captured that the reinforcements were- a
part of General Granger's corps, which we fought tho rest of the day.
Deas' brigade, and the part of Manigault's next to it, fell back to the
foot of the hill ; Anderson's fell back to its first position, and these
three brigades, save two regiments of Manigault's next to Johnson's
brigade, did not again enter the fight.

In falling back on the spur on which Johnson's brigade and the two
batteries fought, McNair's brigade, which formed a second line, min-
gled with the troops of 'the first line on the left of Johnson's and the
right of the two regiments of Manigault's brigade, and continued to
fight in that position during the rest of the day. The retreat on this
hill was precipitate, and called for all the exertions I could command
to prevent many of the troops from abandoning it. The officers,
however, joined with every energy and zeal in the effort to stay the
retreat, and by appeals, commands and physical efforts, all save a few
who persisted in skulking behind trees or lying idly on the ground,
were brought up to our lines in support of the artillery. In tho mean-
time our batteries were promptly opened and gallantly served amid a
shower of the enemy's bullets, and, together with the best and bravest
of our infantry, who promptly rallied on our artillery, poured such a
volume of fire upon the advancing foe that his onward progress was*
effectually stayed.

I cannot here speak too highly of the gallantry of the men and
officers of Dent's and Everett's batteries on this occasion. It elicited
my highest admiration, and 1 at once endeavored involuntarily to
express personally to the commanders my high appreciation of the
work they had so nobly done. It is claimed by Johnson's brigade
that they rallied to a man at the battery. I may be permitted to say
for these noble men, with* whom I have so long been associated, that I

101

then felt that every man in the brigade was a hero. Of Gregg's
brigade I can speak in no less exalted terms. All, indeed, who now
participated in this final, protracted and trying struggle merit the
highest praise.

All our troops had now euffered severely here and in other parts of
the field. Hindmau's division, it is understood, had been especially
weakened in the 'conflict before it came to our support. Neither
McNair's, Gregg's or Johnson's brigades mustered over five hundred
guns. The part of Manigault's brigade adjacent to my division,
about two regiments, under Colonel Reed, of the thirty-fourth Ala-
bama regiment, participated in the invincible spirit which fired our
men and continued to fight with us. I ordered that the hill should
be held at all hazards, and determined that all should be lost before I
would abandon it. I felt that this position (on the extreme left) was
one of the utmost importance and might determine the fate of the
day. Indeed, defeat here would have let the enemy's right awing
back around our left Sank, over the strong positions we had won ;
and here, as at Murfreesboro', where all our movements on the left
had been very similar, a chance for victory might be lost.

About this time my aid, Captain W. T. Blakemore, reported to me
some two hundred men of Beuning's brigade, in our rear, under com-
mand of a major, whose name is not recollected. Upon going to it,
the officer in command reported it utterly unserviceable on account of
its having been cut up and demoralized. I consequntly did not put it
in the fight.

The enemy were not whipped, and the conflict still raged with
varying fortune. Repeatedly our men advanced, and were in turn
forced to yield a portion of the ground they had gained. I directed
our men to advance as far as possible, then hold their position and
never retreat. We thus gradually approached the crest of the ridge.
At about five, P. M , I sent my acting aid-de-camp, Lieutenant
George Marchbanks, Confederate States army, back to the foot of the
ridge to request Brigadier Generals Deas and Manigault to bring up
their brigades to my support. Lieutenant Marchbanks reports that
Brigadier General Deas replied that, on consultation with Brigadier
General Manigault, they had decided that it would not be safe to put
their commands in the same position without the support of fresh
troops.

Over three hours passed jn this conflict, in which officers and men
toiled on and manifested more perseverance, determination and endur-
ance than I have ever before witnessed on any field. We had now
slowly driven the enemy on the left, up the gradual ascent, about half
a mile, to the coveted crest of the ridge, where they made the last
desperate resistance ; and our lines gradually grew stronger and
stronger under the animating hope of victory so nearly within our
grasp. It was finally nearly sunset when a simultaneous advance
swept along our whole lines, and, with a shout, we drove the enemy
from the ridge, and pursued them far down the northern slope to the
bottom of the deep hollow beyond. W« had now completely flanked and
passed to the rear of the position of the enemy on the ridge to our

102

right, and I am convinced we thus aided in finally carrying the heights
south of Snodgrass' house.

About the time the ridge was carried, Colonel Trigg, of Preston's
division, reported to me with a part of his brigade. I sent Captain
Terry, of the seventeenth Tennessee regiment, who was wounded and
mounted on horseback, to place Trigg's command on our right, and it
relieved Gregg's brigade, which was out of ammunition.

I now proceeded to reform my line, which, in the pursuit, I regret
to say, was entirely broken, owing in part to the peculiar conforma-
tion of the ground over which we passed. I still hoped to follow up
the retreating foe.

After I ordered McNair's and Johnson's brigades to form on Trigg's,
this brigade sudden!}' disappeared, called away, no doubt, to co-operate
with Kelly's brigade in capturing the two regiments of General
Granger's corps which surrendered to them about dark. I felt now
that it would be unsafe to advance, disconnected as my command was,
and it being now dark, nearly eight o'clock, P. M. I withdrew it
some two hundred and fifty yards to a good position near the top of
the ridge, threw out pickets to the front and sent scouts to find the
enemy.

My line was arranged for the night in the following order:

The two regiments of Manigault's brigade, under Colonel Reed, of
the thirty-fourth Alabama regiment, and the left thrown back to pro-
tect our ilank, and in succession to the right were aligned Johnson's,
McNair's and Gregg's brigades. On my right Trigg's and Kelly's
subsequently formed. About eight o'clock at night, abandoning all
hopes of advancing further, 1 rode away and searched until about
eleven o'clock for the headquarters of the army or the wing, with a
view to making a report of my position. Failing in this attempt, I
returned to my command worn out with the toils of the day. The
following morning revealed to us the fact that the enemy had left us
in possession of the field. Details were now made to collect the spoils
and bury the dead.

I ought here to mention the heroic efforts on the part of officers
and men which came under my observation, but, for want of personal
acquaintance with the parties, I cannot do justice to all. I especially
noticed the faithful toil and heroic conduct of Lieutenant Colonel
Reynolds, of the first battalion of dismounted rifles, McNair's brigade,
who was conspicuous in his efforts to preserve our lines and encour-
age and press on our men. For hours he, with many other officers,
faithfully and incessantly labored in this duty. In this connection
I must, injustice, mention Colonel J. S. Fulton, of the forty-fourth
Tennessee regiment, commanding Johnson's brigade; Colonel R. H.
t&eJole, of the twenty-third Tennessee regiment ; Lieutenant Colonel
Floyd and Captain Terry, of the seventeenth Tennessee regiment, and
Lieutenant Colonel Snowden, and Acting Adjutant Gregg, of the
twenty-fifth Tennessee regiment. To Colonel Suggs, I feel especially
indebted for his gallant, able and efficient services in commanding
Gregg's brigade. He is a good and meritorious officer. Colonel

103

Walker and Lieutenant Colonel Clack, of the third Tennessee; Col-
onel Grace of the tenth Tennessee; Captain Curtis, of the fiftieth
Tennessee, and Captain Osburn, of the forty-first Tennessee regiments, ,
all of Gregg's brigade, merit special commendation for their services
in this protracted struggle. To the courage and fortitude of the men
of this brigade, as well as to every other brigade which struggled with
them in our last persistent efforts to drive the enemy from their final
position, I trust the proper sense of gratitude will be awarded. Col-
onel Coleman, commanding McNair's brigade, did gallant service and
carried his command faithfully through all the varying fortunes of the
field, on the left, to the very close of the fight I regret that I am
unable to specify more particularly the services of meritorious officers
of this brigade.

I beg leave to call attention to the efficient use made of artillery in
my command. My purpose in accordance with preconceived notions,
was to keep my artillery employeed to the utmost practicable extent
in conjunction with my infantry; and my little experience on this
battle field, only determines me on all like occasions to improve on
my practice of this day.

I need add nothing more in acknowledgment of the services of Cap-
tain Dent and Lieutenant Everett, commanding batteries in my lines,
or of the gallantry of the men under their commands.

I have to regret that no report has hem furnished me bv Captain
Culpcper,. commanding the battery attached to McNair's brigade ;
and 1 also regret that neither this battery nor Bledsoe's first Missouri
battery, commanded by First Lieutenant It. Wood, and attached to
Gregg's brigade, for reasons not known tome, followed their brigades
or participated in our fight for Missionary ridge, where they would
have won unfading laurels for every officer and man attached to them.

The gallant conduct of my brigade inspector, Second Lieutenant
M. W. Black, of the seventeenth Tennessee regiment, distinguished
himthroughout my command,' and I feel that I can scarcely do justice
to his services. He was always in the moments of severest conflict
among the foremost ranks, reckless and indifferent to danger. Ardent,
active and zealous, he has proven himself a most valuable officer on
the field of battle. While personally directing a piece of artillery
in the fight on Missionary ridge, on the '20th of September, he was
severely wounded by a ball that crushed his lower jiw and carried
away a part of his tongue. His speedy recovery is, however, now
hopefully anticipated.

To my aid-de-camp, Captain W. T. Blakemore, who has served with
me in every conflict of this army, as well as at Donelson. and always
with honor and ability, I am indebted for much valuable service on
the field, and he merits more than 1 can say for him here.

My brigade inspector, Lieutenant E. R. Smith, of the twenty-fifth
Tennessee regiment, and my acting aid-do-camp, Second Lieutenant
George Marchbanks, of the' Confederate States army, gallantly ami
faithfully labored with me on the 19th and 20th of September, and I
desire to acknowledge my obligations to them for the zeal and intel-
ligence with which they performed their respective duties.

104

To the medical staff of each brigade of this division I desire to
tender my grateful acknowledgments for their faithful and efficient
services in taking care of the wounded.

To my efficient ordnance officer, Lieutenant James B. Lake, I feel
that a special acknowledgment is due as well for all his faithful ser-
vices past, as for the prompt supplies which he furnished my whole
division from a brigade ordnance train, and yet, at the close of the
battle, exhibiting greater abundance of stores on hand than at its
commencement.

In conclusion, it will be observed that the severest conflicts in
which ray command was engaged on the field of Chickamauga, occur-
red on the evening of the 19th, and in the morning and evening of the
20th September.

On the evening of the 1 9th, my command suffered as much in three
hours as during the whole day of the 20th September.

On Sunday, my command suffered severely until the enemy's breast-
works were curried in the morning, and again* during the contest for
the ppur of Missionary ridge, in the evening.

My division commencedto fight in the front line on the 19th of Sep-
tember, and fought in the front line through the conflict 'of both days,
and at the close was far in advance of all support, as it was also at;
different times during the latter day.

The strength of my command and the number of casualties are
hereunto appended. The lists of killed, wounded and missing in
Gregg's and Johnson's brigades were forwarded on the 29th of Sep-
tember, but no list has yet been furnished by McNair's brigade, and
the aggregates are only given by Colonel Coleman, who commanded
this brigade after General McNair was wounded.

I have received no report from Brigadier General E. McNair or
Gregg.

Everett's battery fired four hundred and twenty-eight rounds.

Bledsoe's battery filed one hundred and twenty-five rounds.

Culpeper's battery not reported.

Dent's battery not reported, as it belongs to Hindman'e division,
though it fought with mine from about cne, P. M., until sunset 20th
September; 1803.

I forward herewith the reports of Lieutenants Everett and Wood,
commanding batteries attached respectively to Johnson's and Gregg's
brigades, and the reports of Colonels Suggs, Coleman and Jb'ulton,
commanding brigades.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

B. II. JOHNSON,

JJri adier General.

105

LIST OF THE KILLED, WOUNDED AND MISSING in John-

son's Division.

Killed.

VFODNDBD.

Mis8ino.

Aggregate.

Brigades.

Officers.

3
u

Remarks.

Gregg's

* 26
100

28
39

485
886

86
17
04

857
607
451

-Aggregates
only reported
in 1 liis liiir;:tfie

REPORT OF OFFICERS AND MEN taken into action on the 19th
and 20th September, 1S63.

Brig a j> b&.

Johnson'.-..
Gregg's....

McNu

19th

September.

20th

September.

(v 1

S *

j- St

fcj)

495

556

1 08

7(51

869

184

1218

1352

758

B4f

100

II117

1207

Rkmahks.

•'•Not furnished for

Aggregate infuntiy, 3,428.

Artillery.

Everett's.. ..,
Culpepsr*s*.
Bledsoe's....

Aggregate artillery, 255.

19ih

September,

20 h

September.

C at

i ri

u M

be "'•

Offi

4
3

80
81

84
84

Remarks.

*Not furnished for
2i'th.

RErORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL GIST, COMMANDING

DIVISION.

IIfaih.uartf.rs Gist's Brigade, )
Xcar Chattanooga, Term., October 14, 1863. \

Captain J. B. Ci-mming,

Assistant Adjutant General*

Captain : 1 have the honor to submit the following report of the
participation of the troops under ray command in the battle of
Chiekamauga on Sunday, the 2"th of September last:

Being ordered with my brigade — consisting of the fourth Georgia
volunteers, Colonel P. II Colquitt commanding, the twenty-fourth
South Carolina volunteers, Colonel C. II. Stevens commanding, tile
sixth South Carolina volunteers, Colonel James McCullough commad-
iug. the eighth Georgia battalion of volunteers. Lieut. Col. L. Napior
eoiiiinandirig, and Ferguson's light battery, Lieutenant Beaun
commanding — to Rome, Georgia, upon detached service, I did m r
e in the affairs of the ISth an! 1 9th of Septembor, with the
other troops of the reserve corps of Major General W. II. T. Walker.
On the afternoon of Thursday, the I7ih of September, I received
orders fiora the Colonel commanding to report, with my brigade, at
Ringgold, Georgia, and was further informed that transportation by
rail would be afforded me. I left Rome the next morning, upon the
arrival of the trains, with the twenty-fourth South Carolina volun-
teers, eighth Geoi»gia battalion, three companies of the fourth Georgia
volunteers and Ferguson's battery, there not being cars sufficient for
the remainder of the command. Upon reaching Kingston, I urged
the transportation agent to send forward additional cars for that por-
tion of the brigade still at Rome, and he assured me that he would do
so promptly. 1 subsequently telegraphed him from Ringgold to hasten
on the rest of the command. The result was that the sixteenth South
Carolina volunteers and my battery did not join me until theruor
of the 23d of September, three days after the battle. (Jpon arriving
at the terminus of the railroad, Catoosa, (wood station,) on the morn-
ing of the 19th, I rode forward to Ringgold for orders and to obtain
us for ray reserve ammunition, my own train being left with
the division upon my departure for Rome. In a few hours I received
orders from the (ieneral commanding to guard and convoy to the army
a large ordnance train that would be formed and reported to me. This
train was; not reported until near ten o'clock, P. M. With the train
in charge, having procured a reliable <iuide in the person of Dr.
Evans, of Ringgold, I reached Alexander's bridge, at which point I
was directed to cross, Chickamaugt creek, if possible, about sunrise
upon the morning of the 20th, after a most fatiguing march during
the entire night. I reported my arrival with the train to army head-
quarters, and, being relieved of further charge of it, was directed to
march forward to a point about a mile distant from the bridge and

107

there await further orders. After remaining at this position some
twenty minutes, 1 was ordered, by a staff officer of the General com-
manding, to move forward, reporting to Lieutenant General Polk, and
join Major General Walker's corps, being at the same time placed
under the guidance of a staff officer of General Polk ; he turned over
the direction of my command to a second officer of the same staff,
and he to a third officer. With considerable difficulty, and after march-
ing for some time, I reached the division to which I was attached.
Upon reporting my command, at this time numbering only nine hun-
dred and eighty, aggregate, I was ordered by Major General Walker
to at once assume command of the division, consisting of Brigadier
General Ector's, Colonel Wilson's and my own brigades — the brig-
ades of Ector and Wilson numbering about five hundred each,
having suffered heavy losses in the engagement on the previous day.
Lieutenant General D. II. Hill was present when I reported to Gen-
erals Polk and Walker, and, as I was turning off to assume command
of the division, requested Major General Walker to send a brigade to
the support of Major General Breckinridge's division that was hotly
engaged in our front and upon our left. Major General Walker indi-
cated one of General Liddell's brigades near by. General Hill asked
for Gist's brigade, saying he had heard of that brigade. Gen. Walker
remarked that Gist's brigade is just coming up, and directed me to
report to General Hill. I did so; the brigade being now under com-
mand of Colonel P. II. Colquitt, of the fourth Georgia volunteers, lie
at once reported and received his instructions from General 11.11.
General Walker then directed me to report the other t.vo brigades
also to General Hill, which was promptly done. Colonel Colquitt,
having his instructions from General Hill, advanced his command in
the direction indicated, being cautioned that he was to support Gene-
ral Breckinridge, two of whose brigades were reported in his imme-
diate front. 1 was afterwards directed by General Hill to follow up
and support the advance of the first brigade with the brigades of
Ector and Wilson. Colonel Colquitt, upon advancing a few hundred
yards in the wood before him, found himself in the presence of the
enemy, strongly posted and massed behind a breastwork of logs, tho
troops reported in his front having retired before the galling fire of the
enemy. The direction taken by Colquitt was also too far to the right,
and the left regiment (twenty-fourth South Carolina volunteers) only
came directly upon the enemy's lines, which were so disposed by a
salient as to rake the entire front of the brigade as it came forward
with a severe and destructive enfilading fire. The brigade could not
have changed direction, as the position of the enemy was not discovered
by Colonel Colquitt until the left was within a short distance of
the breastworks ; the right, however, changed front sufficiently to
become directly engaged. Colonel Colquitt did not reconnoitre the
position, as he was instructed that our troops were in his front. Tne
enemy now poured forth a most destructive and well-aimed Eire upon
the entire line, and though it wavered and recoiled under the 8 hock,
yet by the exertions of the gallant Colquitt, nobly seconded b) Colo*
nels Stevens, Capers and other brave and true officers, ordci ffas

108

promptly restored, and for some twenty-five minutes the terrific fire
was withstood and returned with marked effect by the gallant little
band.

It was here that the lamented Colquitt was mortally wounded whilst
cheering on his command; and, in quick succession, the iron-nerved
Stevens and the intrepid Capers were seriously wounded and, among
others who deserve to live in their country's memory, yielded up their
life blood. One-third of the gallant command was either killed or
wounded. Reeling under the storm of bullets, having lost all but two
of their field officers, the brigade fell back, fighting, to the position
from which they advanced. The brigade of Ector and Wilson kept

up their fire from the . The enemy did not venturo beyond their

works, so severely had they suffered, until I was directed by General
Hill to withdraw my men to the position they occupied before advancing,
and reform my whole line in rear of the batteries, some few hundred
yards distant from the enemy's position. This order was gallantly
extended, under a heavy fire, by Captain M P. King, my assistant
adjutant general. Our lines being re-established, we remained in
position until about four o'clock, P. M., when a general advance was
ordered.

Major A. M. Speer, with seven companies of the fourth Georgia
volunteers, having come up, my own brigade, now under command of
Lieutenant Colonel Napier, was increased to some one thousand four
hundred men and officers. I was directed by Major General Walker
to support the advance of General Liddell's division. Upon reaching
the Chattanooga road, General Liddell found his command exposed to
a heavy fire upon both flanks and fell back to my rear. The gallant
fourth Georgia, occupying the right of the brigade, eager to avenge
their beloved colonel, the brave Captain Cooper and other true officers
of the regiment, with a loud cheer, led by their brave major, charged
through -the woods before them, driving the enemy and capturing some
forty prisoners. The remainder of the brigade followed up handsomely
the advance upon the left. Upon reaching the Chattanooga road, the
force of the enemy that engaged and fired upon the flanks of General
Liddell's division had retired from view ; and, not being aware of any
support upon my right, I at once halted the command, threw out
skirmishers to my front and upon my right flank, and sent information
of my position to Major General Walker. The brigades of General
Ector and Colonel Wilson advancing, took up position to the left. of
the first brigade without encountering any serious opposition. Not
receiving any further orders, and night being nearly upon us, we
bivouacked upon the field of victory. General Liddell, whose com-
mand was promptly reformed, came up and took position on my right.
The firing ceased ; loud cheers went up to Heaven, and the grandest,
most important battle of the war was fought and won.

I would respectfully refer the Major General commanding to the
reports of Brigadier General Ector and Colonel Wilson for particulars
in relation to their respective commands, and acknowledge my indebt-
edness to them for judicious and efficient suppqrt. To Major B. B.
Smith, inspector, Captain M. P. King, assistant adjutant general,

109

Lieutenants L. M. Butler and J. C. Habersham, aids-de-camp, of my
staff, I am under great obligations for valuable assistance in reforming
cemmands, extending orders under heavy fires and other efficient
service. Major J. S. Green, brigade quartermaster, Captain J. A.
Bowil, acting brigade commissary, and Lieutenant J. M. Hunt, acting
brigade ordnance officer, were at their post and in efficient discharge
of their respective duties. I would recommend to the favorable notice
of the General commanding the distinguished gallantry of Colonel C.
H. Stevens, twenty-fourth South Carolina volunteers, who, besides
being severely wounded, had two horses killed under him.

I have the honor to enclose a report of the officers and men from
my own brigade, represented by their commanding officers as having
cor. ducted themselves meritoriously upon the field of battle.

I cannot close my report without expressing my satisfaction at the
conduct and efficiency of the officers, and my admiration for the bravo
and soldierly bearing of the men of the division which I had the
honor to command in the battle of Chickamauga. Their rolls of killed
and wounded testify to the place which they occupied in the picture.
1 am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant.

S. R. GIST,
Brigadier General commanding.

REK)RTDF BRIGADIER GENERAL E. C. WALTHALL.

Headquarters Walthall's Brigade, )
Near Chattanooga, Oct. 6, 1863. \

Captain G. A. Williams,

Assistant Adjutant General :

Captain: I have the honor to submit the following report of the
battle of Chickamauga, in what c mcerns my own command:

On Friday, 18th September, about ten o'clock, P. M., when the
head of Major General Walker's column reached a point about a half
mile from Alexander's bridge, I was ordered by Brigadier Gen ral
Liddejl, commanding division, to form line of battle, with the left of
my brigade resting on the road leading to the bridge, and to move
forward, guiding left, and keeping the road to my left. The line was
formed almost at right angles to the road, the right slightly rente I,
and skirmishers, covering my entire front, were thrown forwatd about
two hundred yards.

These dispositions made, I moved forward through a dense thicket,
and, after advancing about a quarter of a mile, the enemy's skir-
mishers were encountered in front of my left and centre, the two regi-
ments on the right, twenty-fourth Mississippi regiment (Lieutenant
Colonel McKelvane) and twenty-seventh Mississippi regiment, (Colonel
Campbell,) meeting no opposition, except in front of the two compa-
nies on the left of the twenty-seventh regiment. The road on which
my left rested in the beginning of the movement turns to the right at
a point two or three hundred yards from the bridge, forming a right
angle. At this point the thirty-fourth Mississippi regiment, Major
Pegram commanding, and thirtieth Mississippi regiment, Colonel
Scales commanding, in advancing passed across the road into an open
field, and the twenty ninth Mississippi regiment, Colonel Brantley,
the centre regiment of my command, being imnie I lately opposite the
bridge, was stubbornly resisted for about fifteen minutes; and. in the
meantime, the regiments to the left of this driving the skirmish I

the enemy before them, swung round under th^enemy's artillery fire,
through an open field, until the line they fonn»^ ,,?00 nearly a'
angles to that formed by the other three regiments, conforming i
mam to the general direction of the creek. VVh o t ho bridge was
gained by the twenty-ninth Mississippi regiment, it was done under a
heavy fire from the enemy posted on the opposite bank of the creek,
which along my line was, narrow, but deep, with steep banks and
impassable. The bridge had been torn up by the enemy, but this
fact, owing to the density of the undergrowth, could not be ascer-
tained until the bank of the creek was occupied. The thirty-fourth
and thirtieth Mississippi regiments, after swinging to the right as above
mentioned in the field, had been halted by their commanders and the
men ordered to lie down, the enemy having disappeared in their front.
1 then directed the skirmishers of these regiments, which I had pre-

Ill

viously ordered to be pressed forward, to be recalled, and the regiments
to move by the right flank until they closed up an interval between
the thirtieth and twenty-ninth near the angle in the line. Fowler's
battery, of my brigade, during the engagement, was put in position
by the Brigadier General commanding on an eminence to the left of
my line to operate on a battery of the enemy which had been shelling
my line, but the enemy withdrew his pieces while Captain Fowler was
getting in position, and, in the meantime, the bridge was taken. In
this action the twenty-ninth Mississippi lost heavily, and in the thirty-
fourth an officer and twenty-four enlisted men were wounded. Tho
twenty-fourth sustained no loss, and twenty-seventh and thirtieth but
slight. When the condition of the bridge was reported to Major
General Walker, he directed me to move my command by the right
flank, under the direction of a guide furnished me, towards Byron's
ford, about one mile below Alexander's bridge, where my command,
followed by the rest of Major General Walker's corps, crossed, without
opposition, and moved about a mile towards Lee & Gordon's mill, on
the Vinyard road. Night, in the meantime, coming on, I halted,
under orders from the Brigadier General commanding, and the next
morning, soon after daylight, I moved out, left in front, following
Colenel Govan's brigade. The column had not moved more than
three-quarters of a mile when it was halted and rested on the road side
until about eleven o'clock, when I received orders from the Brigadier
General commanding to advance in line of battle. After moving
forward two or three hundred yards, he directed me to move by the
right flank, and, when my right was nearly opposite an old shop near
the road, to halt, and front, and advance in line of battle. Just here
a staff officer from Major General Walker came to me with orders to
move rapidly forward, as Ector's and Wilson's brigades v.ere badly
cut up and largely outnumbered by the enemy. Soon the General
came in person, and, meeting me with my command, gave me instruc-
tions as to directions, localities, &c. Willi Colonel Govan's brigade
on my left, I moved rapidly forward and encountered the enemy
(before I had advanced five hundred* yards) in strong force. The
firing indicated that the two brigades had met the enemy along the
whole line of both at the same tune After moving forward a hundred
yards or so m\ line was che< k d for a moment by a heavy artillery
and musketrv fire, but, When ordered to advance, the whole line moved
promptly forward with a shout, breaking the first, and then the second
line of the en •■my, passing over two full batteries and capturing four
hundred and eleven prisoners, of whom twenty-three were commis-
sioned officers. The prisoners, in the main, claimed to be from the first,
second, third, fourth and sixteenth United States infantry, and from
company H, fifth artillery, and one first lieutenant from fourth
Indiana battery. A large proportion of the artillery horses attached
to the batteries, over which we passed, having been either killed or
wounded, it was impossible, at the time, to retire the pieces as they
were gained. Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds, field officer of the
day, with a detail from the thirty-fourth Mississippi regiment, removed

112

one Parrott gun to the rear, which was delivered to Major rainier,
chief of artillery on Major General Walker's staff.

Afcer passing beyond the second line of the enemy I ascertained
that he was turning my right flank, and, while making a disposition
of my right regiment in the effort to prevent it, Lieutenant Colonel
Reynolds, who had been sent to the left of the line to observe the
operations there, reported to me that the enemy were already upon
the flank of my left regiment'. Moving towards the left I discovered
a piece of artillery being put in position opposite and within three
hundred yards of the left of my line, which was already turued. I
withdrew my command at once, the engagement having lasted about
one hour. The enemy did not pursue, and I took my position, under
orders from the Brigadier General commanding, to the right of the
position from which Major General Cheatham's command just then
advanced.

In this engagement my command suffered heavily. Lieutenant
Colonel McKelvane, commanding twenty-fourth Mississippi regiment,
and Lieutenant Colonel Morgan, of the twenty-ninth Mississippi regi-
ment, wrere severely wounded. Lieutenant Colonel McKelvane
remained in command of his regiment (after he was wounded) till the
engagement was over. In the course of two hours from this time,
several immaterial changes having in the meantime been made in my
position, Lisutenant General Polk directed me to move by the right
flank, in extension of Major General Cheatham's line, taking my
position on the right of Brigadier General Jackson. This was done
under the enemy's fire, whose purpose seemed to be to turn General
Cheatham'3 right flank. Colonel Govan's brigade took position on
my right, whereupon the Brigadier General commanding ordered his
line to advance My command moved forward some three or four
hundred yards, the enemy contesting the ground, but falling back
until the crest of a ridge in front of me had been gained. Here the
enemy, strongly posted, delivered a very heavy fire of artillery and
small arms ; the advance was checked, and in the course of ten or
fifteen minutes my line was forced to retire to its original position
on Brigadier General Jackson's right, and I was directed by the
Brigadier General commanding to remain there until further orders.
Four guns of Fowler's battery were posted, during this last move-
ment, in rear of Liddell's division, and opened fire on a battery of
the enemy which was shelling the troops on the left, and silenced it
in a few minutes. One section under Lieutenant Phelan, in an
attempt to follow my brigade when it moved to General Cheatham's
right passed, by reason of another command being mistaken for mine,
beyond the right of my line, and was put in position at a point where
the infantry supporting it was forced to fall back before a superior
force of the enemy, after a short engagement. All the horses of one
piece were killed, and all but one of the other either killed or
wounded. One piece was lost, but afterwards recaptured ; the other
was brought off. The loss in killed and wounded in this section wa3
heavy, and the pieces used with great effect.

In the engagement en Saturday afternoon Major Tegram, corn-

113

mantling the thirty-fourth Mississippi regiment, and Major Staples,
commanding the twenty -fourth Mississippi regiment, were severely
wounded, and Captain Smith, the senior Captain of the latter, having
been slightly wounded, the command of that regiment devolved on
Captain Toomer till the next morning, when Captain Smith reported
for duty and assumed command. The command of the thirty-fourth
regiment devolved on Captain Bowen after Major Pegram was
wounded. When Captain Fowler reported that one of the pieces
under Lieutenant Phelan had been lost on my right, the line in the
meantime having fallen back, and the firing having ceased, the twenty-
fourth Mississippi regiment, under command of Captain Toomer, was
sent to the right, under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Rey-
nolds, field officer of the day, to a point opposite where the gun was
said by Lieutenant Phelan to have been taken by the enemy, and
moved forward, driving back the enemy's skirmishers till it was ascer-
tained that the enemy, who had retired from the position he occupied
when the gun was taken, had removed the gun before falling back.
The regiment was then ordered back to its proper position in line.

At an early hour on Sunday morning my command was moved by
the left flank, by order of the Brigadier General commanding, to the
rear of Major General Cheatham's line and then back, past the position
where it had spent the night, to the right, a distance of about a mile
and a half in rear of where Major General Breckenridge's forces were
engaged, and halted about three-quarters of a mile from the Chatta-
nooga road. About twelve o'clock, and after one or two unimportant
changes of position, Lieutenant General Polk directed me to move to
the left, to a point to be indicated by Major Itatchford, of Lieutenant
General Hill's staff, to the support of Brigadier General Polk. I
moved by the left flank to the point indicated by Major Ratchford,
who accompanied me, and advanced my line under a heavy fire from
the enemy, which commenced before I got into position. I pressed
forward two or three hundred yards under this fire through dense
undergrowth, until the enemy opened fire on my left flank from the
angle of his fortifications just opposite. About the same time an
impression — afterwards shown to be unfounded — was produced by
stragglers, and among them one officer, falling back from some line to
the right of my immediate front, that the right of my line had fired
into our own friends ; so dense was the thicket that it was impossible to
ascertain at the moment the exact position of any line, nor was I able
to find Brigadier General Polk's command. My left having been
driven back, I ordered the right to cease firing and retired it, and
reformed my line under cover of the hill, and reported the fact to
Lieutenant General Hill, who directed me to hold the position which
I occupied, guarding well my left; my right and centre being then
covered by another command, which had fallen back, and was
reforming very near me. Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds, of the thir-
tieth Mississippi regiment, who but a short time before I h?.d assigned
to the command of tho thirty-fourth Mississippi regiment, fell, mor-
tally Avoundcd, at his post of duty, just before the left of my line gave
way under a flank fire, as above stated, and died soon afterwards. No
braver man or better soldier fell upon the field of Chickamau a than
S

114

this faithful and accomplished officer, whose loss is deeply deplored
throughout this command. In his death the service sustains a heavy
loss. Major Johnson, of the thirtieth Mississippi regiment, was
wounded about the same time, but, his wound being slight, he did not
quit the field.

In a short time after my line was reformed, I was ordered by the
Brigadier General commanding to move my command by the right
Sank some four hundred yards and forward about half that distance,
and await orders. The right of my brigade rested in a field, near a
fence, and the centre and left in the woods, just in rear of a little
prairie. In this position, with my battery posted near the centre of
my line, and Govan's brigade on my left, 1 remained until about five
o'clock, when I received orders from the Brigadier General command-
ing that the line would advance and to move my command forward,
guiding left. I put it in motion, my brigade being then on the extreme
right of the line, and met no opposition even from the enemy's skir-
mishers until I was in sight of the Chattanooga road, near McDonald's
house. Here the skirmishers, firing from behind the house and the
out-houses of the settlement, resisted my advance for a moment, but
soon most of them fled, a few surrendering. I moved across the road
and into the open field beyond, and was ordered by the Brigadier
General commanding to halt about two hundred yards from the road
and let the men lie down till he could put the batteries of his division
on my right, and to this he gave his personal attention. While my lino
was advancing unopposed, a continuous fire was heard to my left, and
most of it seemed to be on the left of Govan's brigade, and as the
division advanced this firing was continued to its left and rear. In
the field in which my line was halted, Govan's brigade also halted,
in extension of my line. Skirmishers were kept two or three hundred
yards in front. The order to lie down had scarcely been given and
executed, when the whole line was enfiladed from three batteries — one
on the hill in the neighborhood of Cloud's house; another within three
hundred yards of the right of my line, concealed in a clump of bushes,
(both these on the right;) and one to the lefc of Govan, near the Chat-
tanooga road. Some of our pieces were turned upon the batteries to
the right and used to the best advantage under the circumstances, but
neither was silenced. After enduring a very heavy fire for ten or
fifteen mkiutes from these three batteries, with no enemy to b.e seen
in front, the brigade to my left gave way, and my own soon followed,
falling back in confusion under a furious cannonade. The enemy,
from the woods to the right, soon appeared and occupied the road in
time to cut off and capture most of the skirmishers, with several of
their officers, who covered my front in the field. Colonel J. J. Scales,
commanding thirtieth Mississippi regiment, was captured here, and
Lieutenant Colonel Jones, twenty-seventh Mississippi regiment, then
acting as field officer of the day, was wounded. He, however, returned
to duty next morning. With the three remaining field officers (and
one of them slightly wounded, but still on duty) out of the ten with
whom I had gone into action Saturday morning, my broken line was
promptly reformed and moved forward. The enemy had withdrawn

115

before I again reached the Chattanooga road, and I was ordered by
the Brigadier General commanding, soon after, to take position in a
field to the right of Govan's brigade, which was posted near McDon-
ald's house and east of the Chattanooga road, and to construct such
temporary protections for the men as could be made of rails, etc., in
front of my lines. Just after I got into the field with my command,
I was directed by the Brigadier General commandirig to move it back
into the woods, in rear of Colonel Govan. Two shells, to which the
enemy replied from a battery in front, having been thrown directly
over my line from some battery in my rear, the first one exploding
just uver the twenty-fourth Mississippi regiment and severely wound-
ing a man of that command.

The next day the whole corps moved toward Chattanooga by the
main road, it having been ascertained that the enemy had retired
during the night. In this battle out of ten field officers, one hundred
and thirty-four company officers and sixteen hundred and eighty-three
enlisted men, which I carried in, I lost seven hundred and five, of'
whom sixty-nine were killed and twelve have since died from their
wounds. A full report of casualties- is herewith submitted.

To all of my regimental commanders, and to Captain Fowler, of
Fowler's battery, I am indebted for their cordial support, and a gal-
lant, faithful and skillful discharge of duty at all times during the
battle, as I am to the officers and men of their commands, for the
coolness, daring and persistence (except in a very few instances) which
marked their action throughout all the engagements. For individual
instances of gallantry, etc., for a more perfect understanding of de-
tails, I respectfully refer to the reports of regimental and battery
commanders, herewith submitted. To the several members of my stall
my thanks are due for the valuable aid I received at their hands, by
means of their prompt attention to all their duties, and their gallant
bearing under all circumstances.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. C. WALTHALL,
Brigadier General commanding,.

RIPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL A. M. MANIGAULT.

Headquarters Manigault's Brigade, Hindman's Division, ^

Polk's Corps, Army of Te7inesse.e, \

Missionary Ridge, Tenn., October 8, 1863. )

Major J. P. Wilson,

Assistant Adjutant General:

Major: I have the honor to submit this, my report of the part
taken by this brigade in the late battle of Chickamauga and on the
two days preceding it:

On the morning of the 18th September, (having left our encamp-
ment near Lafayette the previous evening,) when about a mile and a
half from Lee & Gordon's mill, on Chickamauga creek — the enemy
opening upon our column whilst on the march, from a battery on the
opposite side — we were ordered to form a line of battle fronting the
enemy's position, which threw my command, the right resting on the
road, obliquely across an open field, our front being covered by skirm-
ishers deployed from each regiment under the command of Major
Butler, of the twenty-eighth Alabama regiment. Here the men were
ordered to lie down, in order to avoid the fire of the enemy's artillery,
which had begun to open upon our lines, causing a loss of six men in
the tenth and nineteenth South Carolina regiments. This position
was afterwards changed, in order to bring our right nearer to General
Deas' left, whose brigade extended beyond me to the right. Bivouack-
ing near the road that night, we again occupied a position near the
same place, but with the lines advanced and the left thrown forward
some three or four hundred yards on the following morning, the
enemy's artillery occasionally throwing a few shot in our neighbor-
hood, but without effect. Our skirmishers kept up a steady fire
with those of the enemy opposing them, suffering a small loss on their
own part.

In the afternoon of this day (September 1 9th) we received orders,
through the division commander, to move with the division to join
the main body of the army, a portion of which had become engaged,
the battle having commenced. Moving by the right flank, and follow-
ing the brigade of General Deas, we crossed the Chickamauga at
Hunt's ford, wading to the west bank. Continuing to move on for a
distance of about two miles, we arrived upon the ground in the neigh-
borhood of which Hood's division had been engaged during the after-
noon. It was understood that we were to support this division. The
brigade was then formed in line, with that of General Deas upon the
right, and Anderson's as a support, a few hundred yards in rear — our
line facing directly west. It was now after sunset, when the order
to move forward was received, and we advanced, dressing to the right,
some four or five hundred yards, moving forward slowly and with
difficulty, owing to the dense growth through which we had to pass.
Skirmishers were thrown to the front, the line having been halted.

117

The skirmishers and the left companies of the thirty-fourth Alabama
regiment, on the extreme left of the brigade, a short time after night-
fall (twice) became engaged with a force of the enemy, believed to be
a reconnoitering party, in which that regiment lost some twelve or
thirteen men killed and wounded, but in each instance inflicting a
severe loss upon the enemy and driving them back. Falling back
from the above position, by order of the division commander, about
nine o'clock that night we rejoined the line of battle, a portion of the
brigade filling the space between the left of Hood's division and the
right of Major General Buckner's corps.

On the morning of the 20th of September, (Sunday,) at an early
hour, our final line of battle was complete — the brigade being in the
front line, General Deas, with his brigade, being on my right, and my
left resting on Colonel Trigg's brigade, of Preston's division, Buck-
ner's corps. My instructions were to move forward when the brigade
to my right moved— the attack commencing on the right of the army —
the movement being taken up successively by each division and brig-
ade towards the left, and I was also informed that the troops on- my
left would move forward in like manner. At about half-past eleven,
A. M., (the action having commenced on the right at about tea
o'clock,) General Deas' brigade began its forward movement, and my
own was given the order to advance. The guide being to the right,
in order to preserve a continuous line (as much as possible) with that
portion of the division on the right, the men wrere obliged to move
forward at a very rapid pace. Skirmishers, covering the entire front,
preceded our advance at a distance of from one hundred to one
hundred and fifty yards. The brigade moved steadily on for a distance
of some six or seven hundred yards before meeting, with any opposi-
tion, when we found the enemy in our front, posted near the crest of
a hill, a gradual ascent leading to it; and behind breastworks of logs
and timber their infantry lay, opening upon the command a heavy fire
at short range from their positions of fancied security. At this point
the tenth and nineteenth South Carolina regiments were partially in
a wood ; the twenty-fourth Alabama regiment was exposed in an open
field in the front of them, and in the centre of which wa3 planted a
Federal battery ; several pieces of artillery also being in the wood on
our right. Water's battery, which had followed in rear of the brigade,
occupied our centre, the twenty-eighth Alabama regiment on the left
of it, its right being on the west edge of the same field and extending
into a wood beyond, and the thirty-fourth Alabama regiment to the
left of this wood, also in an open field, with thick woods in their front.
The entire line now became hotly engaged, the tenth and nineteenth
South Carolina and the twenty-fourth Alabama regiments advancing
to within eighty yards of the enemas breastworks, receiving and
giving a heavy fire. Here they were checked and, from the severity
of the fire, thrown into some confusion, not so much from the fire ia
their front as from a heavy enfilade fire from the enemy on their left,
which caused a heavy loss, but they almost immediately advanced
ag:un and drove the enemy from his works, capturing many prisoners
and three pieces of artillery. The twenty-eighth and thirty-fourth

118

Alabama regiments moved steadily forward, also receiving a heavy
fire, and drove the enemy from the works in their front. Finding
myself at this time on the extreme left of the army, the forces on my
left, which, when in line of battle, 1 had been told would advance
simultaneously with me, had not done so, (the information which I
Lad received being, I suppose, incorrect,) and that my left flank was
overlapped, as far as could be seen, by several regiments of the enemy's
infantry, and not knowing how heavy the enemy's force was in this
direction — my three right regiments being thrown in much confusion,
and a large force of the enemy advancing through the field on my
centre to recover their lost ground nnd three pieces of artillery which had
been captured by the nineteenth South Carolina, which, however, the
enemy did not succeed in doing — I ordered the brigade to fall back
about three hundred yards, across the Chattanooga and Lafayette road.
In this movement the two left regiments, the twenty-eighth and thirty-
fourth Alabama, fell back with an unbroken front. In retiring the
battery, the pole of the limber of a piece having been broken, tho
piece was for a time abandoned. However, Colonel Reid, command-
ing twenty-eighth Alabama regiment, moved his regiment forward,
deploying two companies as skirmishers, and succeeded in recover-
ing it.

Just after having given the order for the retirement of the brigade,
General Anderson's command of Mississippians, the reserve of the
division, came gallantly forward and swept by me, his left regiment
covering some four or five companies of my right regiment. The
tenth South Carolina, Colonel Pressley commanding, the sixteenth and
ninteenth South Carolina, with several companies, there joined him,
and continued to move forward. Previous to the advance of General
Anderson, I had sent to General Buckner to request that the brigade
which had been on my left whilst in line (Trigg's brigade) should be
sent forward to my support. They soon made their appearance, but
the enemy had fallen back, owing to the advance of Generals Deas
and Anderson, and others on my right ; they apprehending, in all
probability, that they themselves would bo cut off, seeing also that
reinforcements were coming to my assistance. •

The line having been reformed, the brigade was thenvnoved forward
and was placed, by order of General Hindman, on the right of Gene-
ral Deas' brigade, then occupying a portion of a ridge west of tho
road known as the Rossville road. Here we remained but a short time,
when orders were received from the same source to report to General
Bushrod Johnson, whose command was then heavily pressed, on a
succession of ridges which lay east of our present position, about a
half a mile to our right, and to the east of the Rossville ro?d Tho
command was immediately mo^d and formed on the summit of one
of the ridges before alluded to, the line being at right angles with that
occupied in the morning and running east and west. My right
covered the battery of Captain Dent, which we found, to move to tho
support of General Johnson, already in position ; the centre rested in
a gorge between the ridge on which the battery stood and the left,
•which crowned a second ridge ; having the brigade of General Deas on

119

the left, the right of his brigade, however, covering six companies of
the thirty-fourth Alabama regiment. Skirmishers having been thrown
forward, immediately developed the enemy not more than one hundred
and fifty or two hundred yards in our front, with a battery in position.
About half past three o'clock, having received orders from General
Bushrod Johnson, under whose supervision the movement was to be
made, to swing my line round, making a right- hilf wheel, which wheel
was to be continued if practicable, in order to envelope the enemy in
our front and drive him back upon the centre of our lines, General
Deas on my left to commence the movement, and each successive
brigade to conform to the wheel, keeping the touch of the right and
dressing to the left, the troops were set in motion and here commenced
one o£ the most desperate contests of the day. The movement was
scarce, begun ere the entire line became engaged, and a deadly tire of
musketry and canister was opened upon it at short range. The line
for a short time was thrown in much confusion, but was quickly rallied
and again advanced ; again and again were they driven back, but as
promptly rallied and moved forward again, at each advance driving
the enemy still further from their original position. Nothing but the
determined valor of our soldiers could have withstood the withering
vollejs poured into them by the enemy, who at this point certainly
fought with great obstinacy.

The field and company officers were, as a general rule, conspicuous
for their good conduct, urging and cheering on the men, and them-
selves setting an example to which their men nobly responded. After
a contest of nearly three hours, victory crowned their efforts, and the
foe were baffled and beaten and many taken prisoners. Owing to the
exposed position of the thirty-fourth Alabama regiment, and to the
fact that a large number of the enemy still remained on our left, this
regiment could never get ahead, and was, together with alarge number
of men from the other regiments of the brigade, held in hand to pre-
vent any demonstration of the- enemy on our flank.

It was after sunset when the firing ceased, and night ended the con-
test. The men, completely exhausted by their long continued efforts,
had the proud satisfaction of knowing that they had been victorious
in every part of the field, and that their efforts had contributed no
small share to the earning of this great victory.

I would respectfully refer you to the lists of killed and wounded
already handed in. We have to deplore the loss of many brave officers
and men who fell on that bloody field. The loss of no one will be felt
more keenly than that of Captain D. E. Iluger, assistant inspector
general of my staff, who fell about a half hour before sunset, pierced
through the heart by a rifle ball, and expired immediately. Earnest
and zealous in the discharge of his duty, he had made himself respected
ami beloved in this command by his gentle, manly manners, his im-
partial and consistent discharge of the duties of his department, and
by his great courage, co< Ineee and judgment in action. The twenty-
fourth Alabama also lost one of its most efficient officers, Captain
O'Brien, a gentleman of accomplished mind, a brave and gallant offi-
cer. Captain Chamberlain and Lieutenant Cooper, of same regiment,

120

were severely wounded, and their valuable services will be for a long
period lo6t to their country.

The following named officers were distinguished for their conduct
on the field, and I take pleasure in bringing them to your attention
in this report.: Lieutenant Colonel Julius S. Borcher, tenth South
Carolina volunteers; Major J. L "White, nineteenth South Carolina
volunteers, and Adjutant Fenell, of same regiment.

Of twenty-fourth Alabama regiment, Captains Hazard, Oliver,
McCrakcn, Fowler and Hall, Lieutenants Iligley, Chapman, Pacham,
Dunlap, Young, Euholm, Hood, Ilanley, Northrup, Short, Adjutant
Jennison, Sergeant-major Minck, and Color- sergeant Moody behaved
with great gallantry.

Lieutenant Jordan, of twenty-eighth Alabama, conducted himself
in a most conspicuous manner, and I regret to say was killed during
the action. Of the same regiment, Captains Hopkins and Ford, Lieu-
tenant Graham and Acting Adjutant Wood, throughout the action,
were distinguished for their gallant conduct. Captain Reise, A. Q.
M., and Commissary Sergeant Craig were efficient in the discharge of
their duties in their respective departments. Thirty-fourth Alabama
regiment, Lieutenants Mitchel, Lambert, Oliver, Crochettand Bicker-
stall behaved in a manner to attract attention.

I cannot close my report without referring specially to the conduct
aid bearing of Colonel J. C. Iieid, com man di eg, and M:ijor W. L.
Butler, twenty-eighth Alabama regiment; Colonel J. F. Fressley,
commanding tenth South Carolina ; Colonel N. N. Davis, commanding,
and Lieutenant Colonel B. Sawyer, twenty-fourth Alabama rcgimeut,
and Major Slaughter, commanding thirty-fourth Alabama regiment,
and to their individual exertions is to be attributed much of the suc-
cess which attended our arms on that day. Untiring in their efforts,
they set an example to their commands by their personal daring, the
effect of which was visible in many instances.

To my staff I am indebted for the most valuable assistance. Cap-
tain C. J. Walker, assistant adjutant general, and Lieutenant W. E.
Huger, aid-de-camp, who fearlessly exposed their persons, carrying
and executing orders under the most trying circumstances. Lieu-
tenant Malone, brigade provost marshal, w'as active in the discharge
of his duty, and rendered efficient service in the prevention of strag-
gling, forcing many who were unwilling to face th^ heavy fire to which
they had been exposed back into their proper positions.

I beg leave to call your attention to the report of the regimental
commanders, who have more particularly specified the names, rank,
&c., of parties conspicuous. for their conduct in their respective regi-
ments, on the occasion of the battle of Chickamauga.
I have the honor, Majoj, to be,

With great respect, your obedient servant,

A. M. MANIGAULT,
Brigadier General commanding Brigade.

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GEENERAL Z. C. DEAS.

Headquarters Deas' Brigade, IIindman's Division, }

Polk's Corps, Army of Tennessee, >

Missionary Ridge, before Chattanooga, Oct. 9, 1S63. )

Major J. P. Wilson,

Assistant Adjutant General Ilindman's Division :

Major : I have the honor to make the following report of the part
taken by my brigade in the action of the 19th and 20th September,
18G3, on Chickamauga creek :

Late in the afternoon of the 17th September, my brigade, with the
division, left Lafayette and bivouacked for the night near Worthon's
gap. The next morning we moved forward and formed line of battle
on the east side of Chickamauga creek, opposite to Lee & Gordon's
mill, where we had skirmishing and artillery firing, off and on, during
that and the next day, until the division was relieved by that of Gen-
eral Breckinridge, and ordered to cross the creek at Hunt's ford,
about one and a half miles below. Soon after crossing, we came
under fire of the enemy's artillery when I received orders to form on
the right of Manigault's brigade, with General Anderson supporting,
and move forward, which I did promptly, but before I reached the
line of the enemy it was dark. All fighting having ceased, I fell
back, under orders, a short distance, and bivouacked for the night.

At early daylight, -I again moved forward to take my position in
line, which was at the time occupied by a portion of a division under
Brigadier General Law, which was moving by the right flank to make
room for me ; but it was seven, or perhaps even as late as eight
o'clock, before my entire brigade got into position, with Brig. General
Manigault's on my left, and Brigadier General Anderson's in support.
Here I received instructions that the fighting would commence on the
right and gradually extend towards the left, each brigade attacking
as the one on its right became engaged.

A few minutes after ten o'clock, A. M., heavy firing of infafttry
and artillery on the right, announced that the fight had commenced
in earnest. About twenty minutes after eleven the brigade on my
right (Gregg's) moved forward and engaged the enemy. I immedi-
ately followed, and by the time I had advanced three hundred yards,
saw the line of the enemy behind a breastwork of logs, at sight of
which my men rushed forward with a yell, and, charging the defences,
took them without faltering. As they climbed over, some six or seven
hundred of the enemy threw down their arras and hurried through our
lines to the rear. These works were at the foot of agradually sloping
hill of considerable height, just beyond the crest of which was posted
about twelve pieces of artillery, and in front of them, a little lower
down,, was another work of the enemy, which was carried by my brave

122

and gallant men without a moment's faltering. About twelve pieces
of artillery were taken here.

By the time I gained the crest of the hill my brigade (which had
for some distance been moving at a double-quick, passing in this man-
ncr over two works of the enemy,) became somewhat scattered, and
were, in consequence, checked for the moment in their onward move-
ment. It was at this period that Brigadier General Anderson's gal-
lant Mississippi brigade came to my assistance, and as my men saw
them coining they moved forward again ami, in conjunction with this
brigade, captured several other pieces of artillery and scattered the
enemy in our front so effectually that they never rallied or reformed
again during the day on this part of the field. During this charge,
my brigade occupied the extreme left of the army, with the exception
of Brigadier General Anderson's, which, from being in support, had
got on my left. I now halted and reformed my brigade, to be u
emergencies might require; and, learning that Major General Hind-
man was near by, reported, in person, and received orders to move to
the rear and right, and assist the troops then engaged, which proved
to be Brigadier General Bushrod Johnson's division. I should here
6tate that my men killed, early in the fight, and bore off the body of
Brigadier General Little, United States army.

In moving back to take a new position, Brigadier General Ander-
son's brigade and mine came together, but soon separated again, he
going to the right, and I to the left, to form on the left of Brigadier
General Bushrod Johnson ; but on taking my position, under instruc-
tions from him, I found there was a gap of about six or seven hun-
dred yards. General Manigault, coming up some time after this with
his brigade, was ordered by Major General Hindman to fill up this
gap. To get into line with these brigades, it was necessary for
me to make a right wheel and to form a line at right augles with my
last. It was now about four o'clock. My line having been formed, I
was ordered by General Johnson to make a right wheel again, or
swing to the right, which brought me in collision with the enemy.
My brigade at this time being the extreme left of the army, and on
the east side of the Rossville road, formed a line facing almost to the
left Hank of the one I occupiel in the morning. Here commenced
an attack on the right and rear of Thomas' or Granger's corps, posted
on a steep hill, on which was planted artillery. My brigade was at
this time without any support whatever. The ascent of this hill was
exceedingly difficult, besides being very steep. Here I met with the
most obstinate resistance I had encountered during the day,
and, after contending with the enemy in this unequal position
during an hour and a half, my men in this time having been pa-
tially driven back several times, my whole line was finally driven down
the hill. After reforming in an adjoining hollow, I again moved for-
ward and found that the attack on the enemy had been so severe that
they were not disposed to risk another engagement, and had retired,
leaving me in possession of the'field.

It was now dark, and I posted my command so as to hold the Ross-
ville road, on which I then was, and then sent forward scouts one

123

mile to the front, -who reported no enemy, but captured about fifty
prisoners. Here I bivouacked for the night.

The nature of the ground over -which the battle was fought did not
admit of the free use of artillery, but Dent's battery, which was
attached to my brigade, followed it closely during the morning attack,
firing, however, only a few shots ; but in the afternoon it rendered
signal service, fighting at the time with other commands on my right.
The officers deserve special mention for their conduct.

I cannot close this report without testifying ray high appreciation
of the courage and daring displayed by the officers and men of the
brigade which I had the honor to command on this ever memorable
field. They here added fresh laurels to those already won on other
fields in the sacred cause of their country.

To regimental and battery commanders and their brave men, my
thiinks are due and most willingly tendered for their very valuable
assistance and co-operation in aiding to bring this battle to a success-
ful and decisive issue.

To my staff, I am specially indebted for their willingness and gal-
lantry in carrying out my orders on the field : Captain E. F. Travis,
assistant adjutant general ; Captain Douglas Wirt, acting assistant
inspector general ; Lieutenant F. G. Lyon, aid-de-camp ; Captain H.
II. Williams, volunteer aid-de-camp ; Lieutenant C. J. Michailoffsky,
provost marshal, and to Senior Surgeon V. B. Gilbert; Major R. J.
Hill, assistant quartermaster; Major H. A. Deas, assistant commissary
of subsistence, and Lieutenant T. B. Dallas, ordnance officer, for the
zeal and efficiency with which they discharged the duties of their seve-
ral respective departments.

In going into the fight on the 20th, the brigade numbered one hun-
dred and fifty-seven officers, and seventeen hundred and eighty-five
enlisted men, of whom one hundred and twenty-five were killed,
five hundred and ninety-two wounded, and twenty-eight missing;
total, seven hundred and forty-five Among the killed I much regret
to record the name of Lieutenant Colonel John Weeden, commanding
twenty-second Alabama regiment, who fell, early on Sunday morning,
while most gallantly leading and cheering on his brave regiment. A
few minutes before him, fell the -ranking captain of this regiment, I.
D. Nott, than whom no braver or better officer ever poured out his
life's blood in his country's cause. Ho died where the brave and good
should die, in the front rank, leading hie men on to victory. Two
heroes ! whose lives were sacrificed tp fanaticism. Maj. B. R. Hart,
of the same regiment, was severely wounded in the same charge.

I have omitted to state that, on Sunday afternoon I passed over
some ten or a dozen ordnance wagons, filled with ordnance stores ;
three or four pieces of artillery and caissons ; many ambulances, and
one or two supply wagons, and a dozen or more mules and horses.
There had evidently been a stampede here, and these were the fruits
left for us.

Before closing, I wish to mention the fact, that the fifteenth Ala-
bama regiment, Colonel Gates, was with my brigade a portion of the
time during the first attack Sunday morning, and afterwards kft me

124

to go to the assistance of General Johnson in the fight of the after-
noon. It is simple justice to say that, what I saw of this regiment,
it was behaving with great gallantry.

I am, Major, very respectfully your obedient servant,

7, C. DEAS,
Brigadier General commanding.

The following statement probably appertains more to the division
than to the brigade report of this battle, and is therefore reserved for
the postscript:

According to the strong testamentary evidence of the occasion, and
that also of very many prisoners, this brigade, very materially and oppor-
tunely assisted by Anderson's, attacked, on Sunday morning Sheridan's
division, of McCook's corps; and by the impetuosity of their attack so
thoroughly cut off Davis' division, of the same corps, that they never
again assisted in the fight on that day, and, from the best information
I can gather, fell back to Chattanooga by the western road to Ross-
ville. The names of divisions above cited are taken from the state-
ments of prisoners.

This postcript is meant more for information than as a portion of
my report.

1 am Major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. C. DEAS,
Brigadier General commanding.

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL PATTON ANDERSON.

Headquarters Anderson's Brigade, Hindman's Division, )

Polk's Corps, Army of Tennessee, \

Missionary Ridge, near Chattanooga, Tenn., Oct. 6, 18G3. )

Major J. P. -Wilson,

Assistant Adjutant General, Hindman s Division :

Major : I have the honor to submit the following report of the part
tnljen by this command in the late battle of Chickamauga:

On the evening of the 19th of September, at about five o'clock, P.
M , Major General Hindman assumed command of the division on the
west bank of the Chickamauga, not long after we had crossed to that
side, and while the division was being put in position for the impend-
ing battle. I resumed the command of my brigade, which had been
relinquished on the 17th, at Lafayette, Georgia, for the purpose of
relieving Major General Hindman, who was too unwell to exercise the
command of his division. On taking command of my brigade, I took
position in line from two to three hundred yards in rear of Deas' left,
and Manigault's right, as the reserve brigade of Hindman's division.
We bivouacked on the field for the night, and received orders to take
up and continue Ihe attack ordered to be made on the right at daylight
on the morning of the 20th of September. The attack on our right was
not made, however, until between ten and eleven o'clock on the
morning of the 20th, when it was promptly taken up by Deas and
Manigault in my front, and the whole division moved confidently on
the enemy's first line. Deas swept everything before him, without
halting, or even checking up, in his advance to and over the enemy's
first line of breastworks. Manigault was checked, and diverged to
the left, unmasking my two left regiments. The whole brigade was
moved steadily forward, gradually closing the space between it and
Deas' line, until the ascent of a range of wooded hills was reached,
where the enemy, by reason of his advantageous position for both
infantry and artillery, had brought Deas momentarily to a stand.
Three pieces of his artillery, strongly posted about two-thirds of the
way up the hill and supported by infantrv, were causing Deas' left
regiment to waver, when I ordered an advance. The command was
most gallantly responded to, the artillery captured, the height3 carried,
and the enemy so badly routed as to be unable to make any real stand
again upon that part of the field. I continued in pursuit, however,
for half a mile or more, when, finding my lines imperfect by reason of
some being able to follow faster than others,. I rode to those in
advance and soon succeeded in halting them until the line could be
perfected. Here Colonel Coltart, of Deas' brigade, with a portion of
his (fiftieth Alabama) regiment, and another colonel, of some other
command, whose name 1 have forgotten, with a few men, reported to me,
having lost their proper commands. Before tho new alignment had
been completed, a staff officer from General Hindman recalled me from

126

further pursuit, on account of a flank fire which had been opened by
the enemy, 'with artillery and small arms, on my rear and left regi-
ments— the forty-first and ninth Mississippi, Colonel Tucker and
Major Lynam commanding, respectively.

After reforming, the command was marched back, by General
Hindman's order, in the direction from which it had advanced, a
distance of about a half or three-quarters of a mile, then changed
direction to the right over an open field, towards a position where
Kershaw was reported to be heavily pressed.

My brigade reached this position about three in the afternoon and
was ordered to form line on Kershaw's left, to support him in an attack
upon a wooded hill in his front, where the enemy was strongly posted.
In taking position it was found thnt the command of Brigadier General
Bushrod Johnston was in line on the extreme left, with not sufficient
interval between his right and Kershaw's left for my whole command.
The interval, however, was filled, and the over-plus held in reserve.
The attack was soon made by the whole line. It was stubbornly resisted
from a very strong position just behind the crest of the hill. A por-
tion of two of my regiments gained the crest of the hill and planted
colors there, but the position was a hot one, and some breaking to the
rear on the left caused the whole to give way for a time. The troops
were rallied on the slope of the hill, lines reformed, and all in readi-
ness to resume the attack, when the enemy advanced his line imme-
diately in my front, down the hill, with some impetuosity. The line
was instantly ordered forward to meet this charge, and the command
quickly responded to. The enemy was met by a volley and a charge
which did much execution, his line broken, and his troops fled in some
confusion, but as there was no corresponding forward movement by
the brigades on my right and left, jftid as the hill near the crest was
very difficult to ascend, he had time either to reform or to bring up
a second line before we reached the top of the hill, and another
repulse was the consequence. Troops never rallied more promptly,
and without confusion or clamor. On taking position near the foot
of the hill it was found necessary to distribute ammunition, and,
while this was being done, Colonel Kelly came up with his brigade,
and moved forward to the assault. The seventh Mississippi, Colonel
Bishop commanding, of my brigade, having some ammunition in the
cartridge boxes, was ordered in with Col. Kelly, to strengthen his com-
mand as much as possible. Soon after, two Florida regiments, under
Colonel Finley, also moved forward to Colonel Kelly's support. It
was now nearly night, and the importance of completing the day's
work, thus far so handsomely accomplished by the left wing, was
apparent to all. Kelly made a most vigorous attack, supported aa
above, and succeeded in occupying a portion of the heights from which
he had driven the enemy. Night, at this time, put an end to further
pursuit. Every preparation was now made for a renewal of the con-
flict early the next morning.

At eleven o'clock, P. M., of the 20th, Major General Ilindman
sent for me and turned over to me the command of the division, which
he had assumed the evening previous, having received a contusion

127

which disabled him from further service at that time, and here my
connection with the brigade ceased, the command thereof devolving
upon Colonel J. H. Sharp,- of the forty-fourth Mississippi regiment.
The light of the morning of the 21st disclosed the fact that the enemy
had, under cover of darkness, hastily withdrawn towards Chattanooga,
from a field in which he had been so severely but justly punished.

In the first charge, after moving up to General Dens' line, which
had been checked near the base of a range of wooded hills west of the
Chattanooga road, the brigade captured three pieces of artillery, killing
many of the cannoneers at their guns, and taking others prisoners.
A little further on, and to the left, the forty-first Mississippi, my left
regiment, captured a battery of five guns, among which were several
fine rifled pieces. Several stands of colors were also taken during
the day. No note was taken of the number of prisoners captured by
the brigade. They were merely ordered to the rear without guard or
escort. Nine ordnance wagons, loaded with fixed ammunition, several
mules and horses, etc., etc., were also taken and turned over to the
proper officers.

I cannot close this brief recital of facts, connected with the opera-
tions of the brigade I had the honor to command on the 20th, without
testifying to the officers and troops my high appreciation of the
valor, courage and skill displayed by them on this memorable field.
Without a single exception, so far as my knowledge at this time
extends, they have borne themselves gallantly and added fresh laurels
to those so nobly won upon the former fields of Shiloh, Munfordsville,
Perryville and Murfreesboro'. To the regimental, battalion and
battery commanders, individually, my thanks are due, for their zeal-
ous, vigorous and unremitting efforts, throughout the whole day to
make the battle a decisive one. For instances of individual gallantry,
conspicuous above others, I refer to the reports of subordinate com-
manders, herewith transmitted.

The brigade numbered one hundred and fifty-six officers and one
thousand seven hundred and nine enlisted men on the morning of the
21Jth ; the loss was five hundred and fifty -eight, of whom eighty were
killed, four hundred and fifty-four wounded, and twenty-four missing.
Among the killed I regret to record the name of Major John C.
Thompson, of the forty-fourth Mississippi regiment. A man of
education and position at home, of an age far beyond that prescribed by
the laws of the land for involuntary service, at the first tocsin of war
he enlisted in the ranks and fought as a private in the ranks at Bel-
mont and Shiloh, having been severely wounded at the latter. His
gallantry and services marked him before the men of his State for
promotion, which he soon after received, and commanded his regiment
with his usual gallantry at the battle of Murfreesboro'. On the memo-
rable field of the Chickamauga his devotion to the cause of his country
has been sealed with the blood of a patriot.

I am, Major, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

TATTON ANDERSON,
Brigadier General commanding.

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL L. E. POLK.

Headquarters Polk's Brigade, )
Before Chattanooga, Tennessee, October 10, 18G3 )

To Captain Irving A. Buck,

Assistant Adjutant General Cleburne's Division :

Captain: In obedience to orders from division headquarters, I
respectfully submit the following report of the part taken by my
brigade, composed of the following regiments, from left to right : third
and fifth Confederate, commanded by Colonel J. A. Smith ; first
Arkansas, Colonel J. W. Colquitt; second Tennessee, commanded by
Colonel W. D. Robinson ; forty-eighth Tennessee, commanded by
Colonel G. II Nixon; and thirty-fifth Tennessee, commanded by Colo-
nel B. J. Hill, and Calvert's battery, commanded by Lieutenant S. J.
Key, in the battle of the 19th and 20th of September, on Chicka-
mauga creek :

On Saturday morning, the ISth of September, my brigade rested
in line of battle on the right of Cleburne's division, which formed the
extreme left of the army of Tennessee. About one o'clock, P. ML, I
received orders to move in the direction of the right of the army.
The necessary orders were immediately given, and my brigade com-
menced moving down Chickamauga creek, wading the creek at Tete's
fcrd, and, moving on, was placed in position some three hundred yards
in rear of Liddell's division, on the extreme right of the army. The
other brigades of Cleburne's division following, were placed in position
on the prolongation of my left, in this move, some eight miles, from
the fceft to the right of the army, although expeditiously performed,
some hours were taken. About five and a half o'clock, P. M., I
received orders from General Cleburne to move my brigade forward,
to pass over Liddell's division in our front, and engage and drive the
enemy before us. My brigade was immediately moved forward, and,
having passed Liddell's division some two hundred yards, encountered
the enemy strongly posted on the side of a hill, with temporary breast-
works, who immediately opened a destructive fire of grape, canister
and small arms upon the left of my line, which, for a moment, caused
a delay in my advance. The right of the brigade overlapping their
line, and finding little resistance in their front, wheeled to the left
and took the enemy on the flank. At the same time, two batteries of
artillery, Semples' and Key's, having been ordered up by General
Cleburne between Wood's and my brigade, opened at short range
upon the enemy. Their lines gave way, and they fell back in great
confusion. We continued to press them till nearly nine o'clock, when,
there being some danger of firing into our own men, we were ordered
to halt and rectify our lines. This ended the CDntest for the night,
most of the fighting having been done since dark. In this engage-
ment we drove the enemy seven miles and a quarter, captured over
fifty prisoners and three pieces of artillery and same number of cais-

129

sons. The loss of the brigade, considering the heavy musketry, was
light, not being over sixty men killed and wounded. We rested in
line of battle the remainder of the night, with a strong line of skir-
mishers thrown some four hundred yards in front.

On Sunday morning, the 20th, our provision wagons were brought
up and the men permitted to eat their breakfast, having been without
anything to eat for twenty-four hours. My brigade was again ordered
forward, commencing the move about nine o'clock ; General Breck-
inridge having placed his line upon the prolongation of my right, with
two batteries of artillery between the right of my brigade and left of
his division; owing to some mistakes I did not receive the order to
advance until a few moments after General Breckinridge's division
had been put in motion. Immediately upcn the order being received
I moved my brigade, obliquing slightly to the right, so as to keep
my right connected with General Breckinridge's left; the enemy's
fortifications running off at right angles to the rear of their line
opposite the right of my brigade, I was not able to recover my imme-
diate connection with his left before I encountered the enemy, strongly
posted in a strong line of fortifications, on the crest of a hill ; my
line from right to left soon became furiously engaged — the enemy
pouring a most destructive fire of canister and musketry into my
advancing line, so terrible, indeed, that my line could not advance in
the face of it, but lying down partially, protected by the crest of a
hill, we continued the fight some hour and a half. Wood's brigade
not promptly supporting mo upon the left, it was impossible to charge
their breastworks. My ammunition becoming exhausted, by orders,
I fell back some four hundred yards, leaving a line of skirmishers in
my front to oppose the advance of the enemy, until my ammunition
could be replenished. The enemy were too much hurt to advance,
and were well satisfied to hold their works. I remained in this posi-
tion some hours. In this engagement my loss was very great, amount-
ing to some three hundred and fifty killed and wounded. Among the
number was Captain W. J. Morris, of third and fifth Confederate
regiment, a brave and worthy officer. Captain McKnight, of second
Tennessee regiment, also fell in these engagements in the faithful
discharge of his duties. Major Driven, of the second Tennessee,
received a most painful and serious wound in the head. Adjutant Green-
wood, of first Arkansas, one of the best and most gallant officers in
the army, fell mortally wounded. Here also my inspector general,
Captain Hugh S. Otey, a brave and faithful officer, was mortally
wounded by a cannon ball, from the effect of which he died a few days
after. My brigade remained here until about four o'clock, P. M.,
when I was ordered by General Cleburne to advance and take up my
position upon the left of Brigadier General Jackson. Arriving in
this position, I found General Jackson's line advancing ; partially
wheeling my brigade to the left, I immediately advanced with Jack-
son's brigade, and again encountered the enemy behind their breast-
works, some five hundred yards to the right of where I engaged them
in the morning. Again I was met by a terrible volley of grape, can-
ister and small arms, which caused a temporary halt. Ordering
9

130

Lieutenant Key to bring up his battery beneath the crest of the ridge,
where my line of battle was fighting, he replied that his horses could
not live a moment under such a fire. I then ordered him to bring the
pieces by hand, and, assisted by some volunteers from the brigade,
succeeded in doing so, and opened upon their breastworks with double
charges of canister at a distance of less than two hundred yards,
observing, at this time, that the enemy's line wavered, I immediately
ordered a charge, and, at four and a half o'clock, succeeded in getting
possession of their first line of works, taking more than two hundred
prisoners, all of them regulars. The enemy fell back in some confu-
sion to his second lino and again made a stand. About this time
some batteries of artillery, which General Cleburne had massed on a
hill upon my left, poured so destructive a fire upon the columns coming
up to support the troops in the breastworks, that, finding that their
supports had been driven back, they gave way and retired in great
confusion from their second line of breastworks, and did not stop a
moment in their third line. I moved my brigade rapidly forward and
pursued them across the Chattanooga road, reaching the road a little
before dark. At this time the firing had stopped every where, and the
army of Rosencranz was in rapid and disorderly retreat towards
Chattanooga. In this engagement my loss, though not as heavy aa
in the morning, was heavy, losing nearly two hundred men. It wa3
here that Captain Beard, of the third and fifth Confederate regiment,
and Captain George Moore, of same regiment, both gallant officers,
met their death. Here also Captain N. C. Hockersmeth and Lieu-
tenant A. J. Petner, of the first Arkansas regiment, were seriously
wounded. Many other true and brave men also fell here.

During the entire fight the men and officers of my brigade acted
well.

Among the officers who were most distinguished at the battle of
Chickamauga, I must mention the name of Colonel B. J. Hill, thirty-
fifth Tennessee regiment. Upon every field in the west, from Shiloh
to Chickamauga, this officer has acted with conspicuous courage and
coolness. I earnestly recommend his name for promotion.

Colonel Smith, of third and fifth Confederate regiment, acted with
his usual courage and skill. He has since been promoted. Promo-
tion could not have fallen upon one more worthy.

Colonel Robinson, Colonel Colquitt, Colonel Nixon, Lieutenant
Colonel Holes, and Major Pearson all deserve well of their country.

I respectfully refer you to reports of regimental commanders for
other names distinguished for gallantry.

I here return my ^thanks to Captain W. H. King, my assistant
adjutant general, and Lieutenant Schell, for efficient service rendered
upon the field.

A full list of the casualties in my brigade has already been sent
forward. \

Respectfully,

L. E. POLK,
Brigadier General.

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL S. A. M. WOOD

Headquarters Wood's Brigade, )
Missionary Ridge, Tennessee, October 9, 1863. \

Captain Buck, A. A. G. :

Sir : The undersigned submits the following report of the part
taken by his brigade in the battle of the 19th and 20th of September,
1S63, near Chickamauga river :

The brigade consisted of the thirty-second and forty-fifth Missis-
sippi regiments, commanded by Colonel M. P. Lowry ; the thirty-
third Alabama, Colonel Samuel Adams; the forty-fifth Alabama,
Colonel Breedlove, and the sixteenth Alabama, Major McGaughey ;
also, Major A. T. Hankins' battalion of sharpshooters. Semple'a
battery is attached to this brigade, but had been, about the time we
arrived in the field, directed by orders from the division chief of
artillery.

At twelve o'clock, on the 19th, the brigade was in/lino of battle on
the Lafayette and Chattanooga road, near where the left of our army
was engaged with the enemy. Orders were received to march in
rear of Brigadier General Polk's brigade. After moving in a north-
eastwardly direction for four or five miles, we approached the field
near the right of our army and formed in line of battle, after crossing
the West Chickamauga creek at a ford, the men wading. This
delayed our march in order to close up, which was farther delayed by
two batteries taking the road. The brigade was formed in line as
follows : Right — Hankins, Lowry, Breedlove, McGaughey ; Adams,
left. Brigadier General Polk wa3 on my right ; Brigadier General
Deshler on my left. At this time Major General Cleburne ordered
me to move forward, (the guide being upou my brigade,) and, if I met
with any batteries, not to delay, but charge and take them. I com-
municated this order to each of my colonels. Skirmishers wero
thrown out three hundred yards in advance. Firing of pickets was
all this time going on in our front, and I heard it remarked that a
line of our troops were in that direction. The order was now given
to advance. We soon came to a line of our men lying down, which
we passed over. In a few minutes our skirmishers were engaged and
the line pressed rapidly to the front, passing through a wooded and
slightly undulating country, until we reached the field. Th§ line
touched the fence in a slight ravine or hollow, the ground gradually
ascending in the field in front. The opening covered nearly the
length of ray brigade, and was about two or three hundred yards
across. The enemy were strongly posted in rear of this field, having
constructed breastworks of rails and logs. They opened fire, as wo
crossed the fence, with great rapidity. The command moved up
vigorously against a foe almost wholly protected from our fire, and
who delivered volley after volley into our ranks. When we had
reached the farther side of the field, many of the enemy still remained

132

behind their defences, and shots were delivered in twenty paces of
each other. In crossing this field Colonel Lowry, of the thirty-second
Mississippi regiment, greatly distinguished himself by his continued
exertions in urging forward his command. The enemy were routed
from their defences and driven into the woods. In advancing the
brigade to my right had changed direction to the left, which threw its
left in front of my right and prevented Colonel Lowry's command and
Major Hankins' sharpshooters from firing. I sent my assistant adju-
tant general, Captain Palmer, to order them to cease firing ; but,
before he arrived, Colonel Lowry had anticipated the order by giving
it himself. The forty-fifth Alabama regiment, next to the right, was
now in advance of Colonel Lowry and halted, ceasing to fire at this
time, as did also the sixteenth Alabama, the enemy having fallen
back. The thirty-third Alabama, being my left in advancing, was
pressed upon by the right of Deshler's brigade, which I strove to pre-
vent. The direction of their line being slightly oblique to mine, and
it being dark, some little confusion occurred as to the positions of the
different commands, which were soon rectified. Skirmishers were
ordered out in front of the brigade, and then doubled. We captured
over a hundred prisoners, besides the wounded left on the field. Most
of them were taken at the log defences, which they said they had
been instructed to hold to the last. In no action has this command
ever displayed more eagerness to engage the enemy, or been more
successful in their attack. The brunt of the action was on the left
of Polk's brigade and across mine. He alone advanced through an
open field and against the defences of logs and rails. Other troops
had failed to carry this position during the day, as we heard. The
confusion which happened to one of the regiments- was the result of
some unauthorized person giving a command " to retreat," (see report
of sixteenth Alabama regiment,) and that was soon rectified by Major
McGaughey. The whole command lay upon their arms during the
night, in line of battle. Semple's battery, attached to my brigade,
was not under my control during this action. I, however, saw it
placed in position by the division chief of artillery, and its fire was
of the greatest service in routing the enemy and silencing his batte-
ries. On the morning of the 2l)th, the troops were aroused at early
dawn, the line rectified, the skirmishers in front relieved, and every-
thing made ready to engage the enemy. Ammunition had been
replenished during the night. Shortly after daylight, a day's ration
of cooked provisions was brought up and distributed. The morning
was cold, and the men were allowed to have small fires and eat their
breaUfast. At ten o'clock I was notified the line was about to near
the enemy, and thaUthe movement would commence on my right. I
had already heard that it was probable that my brigade overlapped
troops to my left not of this division, and that some irregularity
existed in the lines as formed. At a few minutes past ten the brigade
on my right moved forward, and I moved with it. Its left soon
crowded on my right, when I obliqued to the left to give room. In a
few moments it made a rapid movement obliquely to the right, leaving
a gap. The brigade was at once ordered to follow this movement and

133

every exertion was made to do so, but we were now under fire of
artillery, and had advanced but a short distance when my right was
within short range of the enemy's rifles. They were hidden behind
logs and timber, covered with bushes. The whole line, to the right,
was now at a halt and firing ; this was followed by the right of my
brigade, Hankins' sharpshooters and Colonel Lowry's regiment. The
Major General passed me at this moment, and I informed him that
my left had passed over some of our troops lying down and were in
front of them. The whole front of the brigade to my left was
covered by other troops. He directed me to see to the left of my
command, and said that Deshler's brigade would be taken to the right.
The sixteenth and thirty-third Alabama regiments were ordered to lie
down on a line with the troops in the front line to my left, who were
also lying down. I found Brigadier General Bowen at the right of
his line, and told him that the batteries now firing on us would enfi-
lade me if I advanced without a corresponding advance to my left.
He said he had no orders to advance, but would send to Major Gene-
ral Stewart for orders. Major General Stewart came to that position
and having ordered his division forward, I immediately ordered tho
forty -fifth Alabama regiment, supporting my battery, up into line
with the sixteenth and thirty- third Alabama regiments, and ordered
them all forward. About this time the line to the right had fallen
back, and the position occupied by Colonel Lowry and Major Hankins
was taken by Deshlers brigade. The peculiar character of the
enemy's works, represented by a diagram annexed, will show that,
whilst the right of my command was very near them, an angle was
formed in its front and the enemy's line was thrown back so as to
give them the cover of woods and compel us to advance through a
wide field. . My brigade advanced into this field. The thirty-third
Alabama, under the lead of its gallant colonel, crossed the field and
the Chattanooga road. The fire of the enemy at this point was most
destructive, and though this movement was supported by Brown's,
Clayton's and Bate's brigades, it was not long before all had to return,
and were again assembled and formed at the position from which they
last advanced. My command, being the right of the line advancing
against this returned line of the enemy, was subjected to a cross and
enfilading fire, which was very severe on all, but especially on the
forty-fifth Alabama regiment, which was forced back earlier. than the
sixteenth and thirty-third Alabama and reformed on Colonel Lowry's
regiment. As soon as the position of these regiments could bcdfccer-
tained, the sixteenth and thirty- third were ordered to take their places
in the line, they being six or eight hundred yards in advance on the
left. During this movement Semple's battery, under the command of
Lieutenant Goldthwaite, followed the brigade and opened effectively
on the enemy. Iu the second advance it was not deemed desirable
that the battery should advance with the brigade, the batteries of
other brigades on our left being ordered to remain in position. After
reforming our line, a division was moved to our right, (Cheatham's,)
and I received an order to move up to the support of Polk's brigade.
I formed in line with it, threw out skirmishers, and moved to the

134

right a half mile. Our skirmishers were engaged with the enemy
until nearly sundown, when, General Polk having advanced and de-
siring the support of a regiment, I directed Colonel Lowry to go to
his support. But the enemy had been routed.

In conclusion, it may be stated that no command conducted itself
with more spirit or determination. By subsequent examination of
the field, it was observed that at no point were the enemy's works so
Strong as in our front, and the peculiar formation of his lines, which,
owing to the heavy timber and undergrowth, could not be ascertained
by any effort but an assault, subjected the command to a very de-
structive cross and enfilading fire on Sunday. The reports of the.
colonels and commanders of batteries and battalions will show a list
of casualties. The loss, at the time, in the brigade was ninety-six
killed on the field and six hundred and eighty wounded. Many have
died since, among them four field officers : Major McGaughey, of the
sixteenth Alabama regiment ; M:ijor Carr, thirty-second Mississippi ;
Major Hankins, Hankins' sharpshooters ; Major Gibson, Gibson's
battalion, attached to thirty-third Alabama regiment. These officers,
of the same rank, were all distinguished by former services on the
field of battle. They were all of great merit, and their loss will be
long deeply regretted by their commands. For further particulars,
reference is made to reports of commanders of regiments and com-
panies.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. A. M. WOOD,
Brigadier General.

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL M. A. STOYALL.

Headquarters Stovall'b Brigade, )
Breckinridge's Pivision, HilVs Corps, Missionary Ridge, £

October 3, 1863. )

To Major James Wilson,

Assistant Adjutant Gc7icral :

Major : I have the honor, to submit the following report of the
part taken by ray brigade in the action of Sunday, the 20th of Sep-
tember, 1863:

In obedience to orders from headquarters Breckinridge's division,
of date September 16, 1863, I moved from my position on the Alpine
road, near Lafayette, Georgia, on the Catlin's Gap road, at or near
the latter place on the morning of the 17th. Here I remained in
position until the morning of the ISth, when I was ordered to proceed
on the Crawfish to Chattanooga road. I halted at the intersection of
the two latter for about thirty minutes, when I marched to Pigeon
ridge, near Glass' mill, (stopping and forming line of battle for a short
while, in the meantime,) and again went into position. I remained at
this place until Saturday, the 19th, when I was again moved down the
Chattanooga road to Snow hill. Skirmishers had scarcely been
deployed, and the proper dispositions made, when I was ordered still
further forward in a northeasterly direction to the battle-field as
reinforcements to the right of our line, reported then to be hard
pressed by the enemy. This move did not commence until five o'clock,
P. M. ; hence I did not get into position until Sunday, the 20th
instant. Saturday night, the 19th instant, we slept on the edge of
the battle-field, and moved out into position at four o'clock, A. M.,
the nex*- (Sunday) morning. We formed a line of battle at sunrise, this
division being on the extreme right of the army — my brigade being
in the centre of the division, and between the brigades of Brigadier
Generals Adams and Helm respectively. Skirmishers, twenty-five
men from each regiment, were immediately deployed, under command
of Lieut. Col. Badger, of the fourth Florida regiment. Subsequently,
orders were received to advance the line thus deployed, and for a regi-
ment to be thrown forward to support them. In obedience thereto,
I ordered Colonel Borden, commanding the fourth Florida regiment,
to take out his CGmmand as the support required. For the matmerin
which he manoeuvred it, while in advance, I respectfully refer to the
accompanying report from him.

Between nine and teu o'clock, my brigade was ordered to advance.
I moved out in good order, parallel to the Chattanooga road, about a
half mile, not without first encountering two distinct Hues of the
enemy's skirmishers aud driving them in. Here the brigade waa
halted and, by a Hank movement, formed nearly perpendicular to its
fonder position. Thus reformed, I moved forward, and had not gone
far before I .encountered the enemy in heavy force and strongly

136

entrenched. Here the battle raged fiercely. A concentrated fire of
grape and canister, shot and shell, of every conceivable character,
was poured into us from the front, while ray left suffered no less from
an enfilading fire equally galling and severe. Brigadier General
Helm's brigade, having encountered the enemy's breastworks, was
unable to keep up the alignment, which taken with the fact that the
reserve ordered to our support failed to come up, and the further fact
that my left, as well as my front, was thus exposed, the brigade, in
fact, the whole line, was forced to retire. The troops of my com-
mand fell back simultaneously, forming in perfect order, not exceed-
ing two hundred yards in rear of the position for which they had
gallantly contested. From this position I was still further retired
and placed in position on the extreme right of the division, acting as
a support to the command of Major General William H. T. Walker.
Here I remained at rest fcr a few hours. During the interval, I had
my cartridge boxes all replenished, my command remaining quiet
until four o'clock, P. M. About that hour I was ordered to move my
brigade to the extreme right of the line. Again formed nearly par-
allel to the Chattanooga road. 'J his latter movement was ordered that
we might form part of a support to the brigades of Brigadier
Generals Liddell and Walthall. They were soon driven in, but were
afterwards reformed and thrown forward a second tirce. Just at this
juncture, I was ordered to advance. Changing my direction by a
left half wheel, I was brought to the enemy's line. Thus in position,
I commenced the charge. My brigade pressed through two lines of
our own troops, passed over the enemy's breastworks, and with deaf-
ening shouts of patriotic enthusiasm, pursued the foe to the Chatta-
nooga road, where, in obedience to orders, I halted, night putting an
end to the conflict.

I respectfully refer to the accompanying statement, marked ,

showing the regiment, name, and rank of every officer and soldier
killed, wounded, and missing ; also the character of the wounds.

I am much indebted to Colonel Dilworth, first and third Florida ;
Colonel Borden, fourth Florida; Lieutenant Colonel Ray, sixtieth
North Carolina, and Captain Cone, forty-seventh Georgia, who led
their respective commands with skill and judgment. Also, to Cap-
tain Weaver, who succeeded to the command of the sixtieth North
Carolina after its colonel was disabled. Captain J. P. C. Whitehead,
my assistant adjutant general ; Lieutenant A. J. Hanson, and Cap-
tain J. II. Hall, (who was severely wounded in the shoulder,) dis-
played frreat coolness and daring during the conflict, and to them lam
much indebted for valuable services rendered ; also, to Lieutenant A.
Dunham, ordnance officer, for the promptness manifested in the dis-
charge of the duties of his responsible office.

I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant,

M. A. iSTOVALL,

Brigadier General.

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL GEORGE MANEY.

Headquarters Maney's Brigade,
In the Field, near Chattanooga, Tennessee, Oct. 6, 1863.

Major James D. Porter,

Assistant Adjutant General :

I respectfully submit the following report of the part taken by my
command in the battle of the 19th and 20th instants, near Chicka-
mauga creek :

My brigade was composed of the fourth Tennessee regiment, Colo-
nel James A. McMurry commanding ; the sixth and ninth Tennessee
regiments, (consolidated,) Colonel George C. Porter commanding;
the first and twenty-seventh Tennessee regiments, (consolidated,)
Colonel II. R. Field commanding; Maney's battalion sharpshooters,
Major Frank Maney commanding, and a field battery of four twelve-
pounder Napoleon guns, under the command of First Lieutenant Wm.
B. Turner.

My command crossed Chickamauga creek at Hunt's ford, on the
morning of the 19 th September, and, after proceeding iu a northern
direction al out two miles by the flank, was formed in line of battle.
I here met General LiddelTs command, which was being reformed,
after having been, as I understood, severely engaged with superior
numbers. Passing forward of this command towards the engagement
then pending, and which seemed to have been taken up by brigades
in advance of me, I was, after some inconsiderable halts, ordered to
enter action by relieving Jackson's brigade — my information at the
time, being, that Strahl's brigade would be in lino on my left. The
position pointed out to me as the one at which I was to relieve Jack-
son's command was a ridge well wooded, where the right half of my
command rested, but from the centre to my left, the timber on the
side of approach had been newly felled and presented some difficulty
to easy passage in line. In extension to my left, there was an open corn-
field— a narrow strip of woodland intervening. My line commenced
engaging instantly on reaching the top of the ridge described, and in
a few moments afterwards I was informed by a messenger from Gen-
eral Forrest that there was nothing on the right but his cavalry, and
that he was unable to sustain himself against the strong force of the
enemy which was pressing him. Strahl's brigade was not at this
moment in line with me on the left, it having, as I afterwards learned,
become earlier engaged and fallen back to reform. My own line num-
bered less than one thousand guns. My battery was just in rear of
my centre, but the ground was not favorable to its advantageous
engagement. About three hundred yards in my rear there was a hill-
top in open woods — a most favorable position in many particulars for
a battery. Lieutenant Turner was ordered to leave one piece in posi-
tion, to be used in any emergency which might arise, and retire the
remaining three to this hilltop, and there take position and await

138

further orders. Some moments after this I heard a battery operj in
rear of the right of my line, and hastening to it I found that Forrest
had been forced in on my right. General Forrest in person was with
the battery, which was firing obliquely to the front and right, and, as
I thought, too much in range with two companies of my right regi-
ment, which had been thrown out as flankers to this part of my line.
General Forrest was apprised of this fact and requested to oblique
his guns more to the right, which he did and continued firing, as he
informed pe the enemy was certainly approaching in force from that
direction. The firing was now constant along my entire front, and
the enemy's indicated that his line extended far beyond my lefc. For-
rest's battery was some protection to my right flank, and my single
Napoleon, while it could not fire with any effect over the ridge in
front, was in position to rake the open field to the left and rear of my
line, and to this extent prevented the enemy's coming behind us, unless
it should first be driven off by sharpshooters, lodged on the ridgetop,
under cover of the woods between my lino and the field. The action
increased in fury, especially on the left, and I was soon convinced
that my command was greatly overmatched in numjbers. A staff
officer was sent with this information to the division General, and
another to my left and iear in search of General Strahl, with the
request for him to move up in line with me on the left. FaBsing
myself to the ridgetop .to the left of my line, 1 discovered the enemy
but a short distance from my lefc, advancing by the flank boldly and
evidently with the purpose of passing through this skirt of wood at
right angles wi.th my line, and thus gain my rear and centre of my
left flank. The emergency was critical, and, being without a staff
officer, I hastened in person to General Strahl, who I found had
received my message and was aligning for an advance; To avoid
delay, I asked him to move forward a single regiment to hold the
interval between my left and the open field, and he ordered his right
regiment, Colonel Walker's, and perhaps another to advance imme-
diately. This force made a gallant drive forward, and the enemy gave
way before them. I had, about this time, received the order to fall
back and form behind Smith's brigade, which was in line with my
guns on the hilltop in the rear. My line was retired in as good order
as its shattered condition would admit of. Before reaching Smith's
line, I was instructed to continue my infantry back to the ordnance
wagons, for a supply of ammunition. The ammunition replenished,
my command again moved forward and bivouacked for the night in
line with and on the left of the division, without further engagement
of my infantry for the day.

My advanced gun, undor the immediate command and efficient man-
agement of First Lieutenant Smith, after covering the retiring line
with several well-directed shots at short-range, was withdrawn to the
hilltop and took position with the other three — the battery, by order
of the division General, being retained there with the line formed to
check the enemy's advance. The service it here rendered in check-
ing and driving back the enemy's advancing line did not occur under
my immediate eve, but is reported as brilliant and decisive. The

139

enemy, pressing forward on what he deemed our yielding lines, was
met by shot and shell, and then double charges of canister belched
in quick succession from four as good guns and, in my judgment,
as gallantly and efficiently manned and served as any our service
can boast. Three times his lines were broken and shattered before
their deadly discharges, and finally he abandmed, in disordered rout,
all efforts to capture them. The excellent conduct of Lieutenant
Turner and his gallant officers and men on this occasion was but a
repetition of their services on the fields of Perryville and Mur-
freesboro'.

The active engagement of my command on Saturday was about
three-quarters of an hour in duration and extremely severe. Besides
being opposed on all parts by largely superior numbers, two of the
enemy's batteries were actively served against it obliquely from the
right and left, and ranging principally from the centre to the left of
my lines. The loss in this engagement was heavy, including some of
the most valuable officers of my command. Colonel McMurry, a
gentleman of the noblest qualities and an officer of fine abilities and
great gallantry, received a w.ound in the thickest of the fight, from
which he has since died, and Lieutenant Colonel Lewis and Major
Bradshaw, of the same regiment, both officers of great merit, were, in
quick succession, severely wounded in the gallant discharge of their
duties.

In Turners battery the loss of officers was two of the four — First
Lieutenant Smith severely wounded and Second Lieutenant Ingraham
killed. Both these officers displayed great gallantry. While the
behavior of my entire line was of a character so entirely satisfactory
and commendable as to forbid the claim of superiority in conduct of
any one part over another, the extreme left, held by the sixth
and ninth regiments, (consolidated.) was most exposed, and the
chances of the day demanded of this veteran command a bloody
sacrifice. It is but a just tribute to say the demand was met by them
as became heroes in many battles. Their loss in killed and wounded
was over half their number engaged, including among the latter Major
Wilder and many other officers of excellent merit.

On Sunday, the 20th, my command remained in line of battle, with
the other brigades of the division, where it had bivouacked the night
before, some half a mile to the left of the position of my previous
day's engagement, until about two o'clock, P. M., when I was ordered
to move "by the right flank about the distance of a mile, when I was
halted for a considerable time, receiving-, in this position, some shell-
ing, but sustaining but small loss. Late in the afternoon I was
ordered into line with other brigades of the division for a general
movement, as I understood, against the enemy's main position near
the Chattanooga road. There was at this time sharp firing obliquely
to my front and left, and about the time I was in line Brigadier
General Polk, of Cleburne's division, came up, asking for assistance,
and stating that his command bad gained a portion of the enemy's
breastworks, but was engaged in front without support on either flank,
adding that if I would advance it would relieve him. I did not feel

140

at liberty to detach myself without instructions from my division
commander, but at this moment discovering General Cheatham a short
distance to my right, I proceeded to him immediately and gave him
the information just received from General Polk, when I was ordered to
go to his assistance. On my return General Polk was not present to
advise me of the precise position of his command, he having, 1 suppose,
in the meantime rejoined it ; but remembering his remark, that I would
relieve him by advancing, I moved directly forward. This movement
brought me into action, I think, some two or three hundred yards to
his right. The order to advance wasreceived by my entire line with
an enthusiasm plainly telling that their valor was more stimulated
than abated by their severe suffering of the previous day. My line
was soon engaged, but the force in front yielded and were driven
rapidly back. A fire was, however, opened on my left flank, but the
giving way of the enemy in front and the continued rapid advance of
my line caused this to cease and the enemy delivering it quickly aban-
doned his position on my left under the impression, as prisoners stated
to me, that our movement would gain his rear. As soon as the firing
ceased I ccmmenced reforming my line; which had become consider-
ably disordered by its rapid movement through thick woods and under-
growth. Before this was done I was joined by Wright's brigade,
which came forward after me. It was now some time after sunset,
and almost entirely dark in the thick woods. Skirmishers and small
parties thrown forward for observation reported no enemy in front
between me and the Chattanooga road. General Breckinridge's
entire command came from towards my right, passing in rear of and
almost at right angles with my line. Under these circumstances,
and to avoid the danger of collision with our own troops in the dark-
ness, I sent a staff officer to advise the division general of the result
of my movement, with the information that I had halted for further
orders. My staff officer returned, reporting that he did not find
General Cheatham, but had delivered my report to Lieutenant General
Polk, who directed that I should remain where I was. I then
bivouacked for the night in the enemy's breastworks, where, I under-
stood, had been the main position of Thomas' corps. My loss in this
engagement was light compared with that of the previous day.

On Monday, at two o'clock, P. M., the enemy having abandoned
the field and, during the preceding night, withdrawn to Chatta-
nooga, our march commenced toward that point. We bivouacked for
the night on Chickamauga creek, about miles from the battle-
field.

Early Tuesday morning we resumed the march, gaining the road
leading from Chickamauga station to Chattanooga, about one mile
and a half east of Missionary ridge. Advancing by this road, it wag
ascertained the enemy occupied the ridge, and, after a short halt, for
the purpose of reconnoitering, my brigade, being in front, was ordered
by Major General Cheatham to drive them from and take possession
of the ridge. My line was formed on the right of the road and
properly sustained with skirmishers. With these dispositions my
command was advanced to the attack, and after a spirited engagement

141

of a few moments the enemy was driven, and the ridge top was in our
possession. My loss in this affair was eighteen killed and wounded.

Through all the trials and dangers incident to their part in this
memorable battle, the conduct of my command was such as might
have been expected of intelligent and patriotic veterans. Their ranks
had been thinned on many other fields, yet all were eager here to
strike for the right as though there was no death, no suffering before
them, but only their cause to serve. '

I feel it proper, in addition to those whose good conduct has been
mentioned in connection with their wounds, to express my thanks to
Colonels Porter and Field, commanding regiments, and their associate
field officers, Lieutenant Colonel Buford, Lieutenant Colonel House
and Major Allen, for their zealous and efficient aid throughout the
engagement. Also to Major Maney, commanding battalion of sharp-
shooters, and Captain Bostick, of the- seventh Tennessee regiment,
who commanded the regiment with gallantry and ability after the fall
of all its field officers. Lieutenant Turner, commanding battery,
deserves especial notice for the effective and decisive manner in which
his battery was commanded and served. I also mention Lieutenant
Henry, of the battery, for his gallant and efficient conduct. My staff,
Captain Porter, assistant adjutant general ; Lieutenant House, aid-
de-camp, and Lieutenant Ruble, assistant adjutant and inspector gen-
eral, have my thanks for their courage and great assistance throughout
the engagement. Private William Whitthorne, for the time disabled
by a wound received in a former action, from carrying his musket,
tendered his services, and I must commend his intelligence and gal-
lantry in conveying my orders to different parts of the field.

Lists of casualties in my command have been furnished. Reports of
battalion commanders herewith filed are referred to for particulars
and for instances of gallantry in their commands.
Very respectfully,

GEORGE MANEY,
Brigadier General commanding.

REPORT OP BRIGADIER GENERAL 0. F. STRAHL.

Headquarters Stp.ahl's Brigade,
Missionary Ridge, September 30, 1863.

Major James D. Porter, Jr.,

Assistant Adjutant General Cheatham's Division :

Sir : On the morning of thg 19th instant, my brigade, composed
of the fourth and fifth, nineteenth, twenty-fourth, thirty-first and
thirty-third Tennessee regiments, and Captain Stanford's rifle battery,
moved by the right flank, in compliance with orders from division
headquarters, and crossed Chickamauga creek about three miles below
Lee &. Gordon's mill. From this point, and about the middle of the
day, we moved rapidly to the right about two miles, where we halted
and formed in line of battle immediately on the left of General
Maney's brigade. About one o'clock, P. M., I received an order from
General Cheatham to move forward, which I did, and took a position
immediately in rear of General Smith's brigade, which was at that
time hotly engaged with the enemy, and some two hundred yards in
front of the position I had taken.

Shortly after taking this position, General Smith sent me word
that he was about to be driven back and wished me to come to his
support, which I did at once, moving forward over his line to a small
elevation some two hundred and fifty yards in his front, entirely
relieving him, and engaging the enemy. In a short time after thus
engaging the enemy, General Smith rode up to me and told me that
my left flank was still in rear of General Wright, and that my right
flank was not supported by any one, and that I was in a position to
be flanked by the enemy on my right unless I immediately moved in
that direction. Discovering, however, that General Wright had
retired, and that none of our troops were in my front, and knowing
the great danger of attempting a flank movement in the presence and
under the fire of an enemy, and expecting General Mauey to come up
on my right, I did not move in that direction until General Smith
rode up to me a second time and told me that General Cheatham
directed that I should close the gap between myself and General
Jackson by moving to the right. I then concluded that General
Maney had been ordered elsewhere, and I, therefore, immediately
gave orders to move to the right, but had hardly commenced the
movement before the enemy met the front of my column with a mur-
derous and destructive fire, enfilading nearly the whole of my line,
and moving in such a direction as soon to be in the rear of my right,
if I attempted to hold the position I then had.

143

The position of the two line3 were about as 13 shown by the follow-
ing diagram :

Yankee Line.

Rebel Line.
StraJU's Brigade.

Therefore, not knowing whether I was to receive support on my
right, and having no time for delay, I immediately gave orders for my
line to retire, and at once moved back to a position where I hoped to
be able to prevent the enemy from flanking me. I gained this posi-
tion with my left in good order, my right being thrown into confusion
by the heavy fire they were receiving, both from the front and on their
flank. The officers, however, all acted with great gallantry and cool-
ness, and immediately rallied their men as soon as they arrived at posi-
tions where they could do so and not be in immediate danger of being
flanked. In this movement we were compelled to leave most of our
men killed and wounded on the field, some of which fell into the hands
of the enemy. Our loss whilst placed in this unfortunate position
was near two hundred, and among that number some very valuable
and gallant officers.

Most of the field officers on my right were dismounted by having
their horses shot from under them, and Major Heiskell, of the nine-
teenth Tennessee regiment, a very gallant officer, was severely
wounded in the foot.

During this short encounter with the enemy the nineteenth Ten-
nessee regiment was on my right, and was therefore much more
exposed, and consequently met with a much heavier loss than any
other in the brigade. But its field officers, Colonel F. M. Walker and
Lieutenant Colonel B. F. Moore, acted with such coolness and gal-
lantry that they inspired their men with courage and confidence, and
prevented that demoralization which might have been expected under
such trying circumstances.

It was now, while engaged in reforming my line, that General
Maney came up and pressed the enemy back for some distance on nay
right, and soon became hotly engaged. As scon as my line was
reformed I moveQ forward to his support, and arrived on a line with
his left just in time to meet the enemy, who were advancing rapidly
and pressing his line back. My three regiments, the nineteenth,
thirty-first and thirty-third, were thrown forward in advance of the
left of my brigade and took possession of a small skirt of woods,
which they held until the line on their right had fallen back so far
that they were again exposed to a severe enfilading fire, when I
again ordered them to retire to the position where they had first ral-
lied, in order to prevent the enemy from swinging around my right
and thus getting in my rear. Then I reformed my whole line, but

144

learning that General Smith's brigade was in line jast on my right
and but a short distance in my rear, and being without support on
either flank,- 1 deemed it advisable to move back and form on him,
which I did, and remained in this position until dark.

While in this position, my battery, commanded by Captain T. P.
Stanford, for the first time opened upon the enemy and shelled them
for a short time, but with what effect I could not tell. The ground
over which we had been fighting during the afternoon was of such a
nature that it would not admit of the use of artillery, and especially
of a rifle battery ; therefore, I was compelled to meet every advance
of the enemy with my infantry alone, although their batteries were
playing on me the whole time, and from positions that made their fire
very effective. My battery, however, was at all times immediately in
my rear, and ready, at a moment's notice, to go into position had an
opportunity offered where it could have been used with effect.

About dark General Deshler's brigade, which was then in my rear,
was ordered to the front, and moved forward in such a manner as to
cover my right. In a short time after he had passed me, going to the
front, I was ordered to follow, and did so, continuing to advance until
I came up with his line, which was an old field, and near where we
had been engaged during the afternoon. Here we bivouacked for the
night in line of battle.

During the nfght our infirmary corps brought off many of our
killed and wounded that we had left on the field.

The next morning we were held in this position until noon or later,
when we moved by the right flank to the extreme right of the army,
and was then moved forward and placed in position immediately in
rear of General Liddell's command, and there remained until the
morning of the 21st, when I formed on the right of General Liddell
and sent forward skirmishers some two miles and a half, but without
discovering an enemy, save some few stragglers, who surrendered
without making any resistance.

During the whole engagement my command was almost continually
within range of the enemy's cannon, and, at times, suffered severely
from it.

My ordnance officer, Lieutenant Winston, during and after the
engagement, collected and hauled from the field one thousand stand of
small arms.

Several small squads of prisoners were taken by my men and sent
to the rear, but without any account of their number.

The company and field officers, as a general .thing, conducted
themselves with great gallantry and coolness, and discharged their
duties in such a manner as to reflect much credit upon themselves
and their commands. The privates in the ranks, as usual, displayed
that noble courage for which Southern soldiers have ever been distin-
guished.

My staff officers, Captain J. W. Johnson, A. A. G., and Lieutenant
John S. Chapman, A. A. I. G., rendered me very efficient service on
the field and during the whole engagement manifested a zeal and
energy in the discharge of their duties that was truly commendable.

145

I have already forwarded to you a list of the casualties of this
brigade, showing the name, rank and command of the officers and men
killed, wounded and missing during the engagement. That report
shows our loss in killed to be nineteen; wounded, two hundred and
three, and missing, twenty-eight — making the whole loss sustained
by the brigade two hundred and fifty, officers and men.

Some of the missing have since been heard of as wounded and in
the hands of the enemy. Many of the wounded men were but slightly
injured, and will soon be able to join their comrades. But there are
many noble spirits who will never return ; and while we have to mourn
the loss of our gallant dead, and sympathize with those who are suffer-
ing from their wounds, yet we cannot but rejoice that the tide of
invasion has, for once, been hurled back, aud that the faces of our
gallant and victorious soldiers are now turned towards their homes,
and that a new and unconquerable spirit has been aroused throughout
our whole army.

Respectfully submitted,

0. F. STRAHL,
Brigadier General.

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL M. J. WRIGHT.

Headquarters Wright's Brigade, Cheatham's Division, \

Polk's Corps, Army of Tennessee, \

In the Field, October 9, 1863. )

Major James D. Porter,

Assistant Adjutant General Cheatham's Division :

Major : I have the honor to make the following report of the ope-
rations of my brigade in the battle of Chickainauga, on the 1 9th and
2l)th ultimo :

On Saturday, 19th ultimo, at half-past eight o'clock, A. M., I was
ordered by Major General Cheatham to advance and cross the Chick-

amauga at a ford known as ford, following immediately after

Brigadier General Preston Smith's brigade, and followed by Briga-
dier General George Maney's brigade. Immediately after we crossed
the ford heavy firing commenced in our front, which was ascertained
to be an engagement between the reserve division of Major General
Walker and the enemy, who was in heavy force and was pressing
Walker hotly with his largely superior numbers. My brigade, after
crossing, was formed in line of battle in a field, in the rear of Briga-
dier General Smith. I was ordered to follow immediately in the rear
of Smith when he moved. In an hour Smith moved in the direction
of the battle-field, and we followed closely in his rear. After moving
into a wood in a direction inclining down the Chickamauga, another
halt was made of half an hour, when I received an order from Gene-
ral Cheatham to form in line of battle and move forward in a direction
nearly at right angles to the road along which we were posted, with
that brave and accomplished officer, General Preston Smith, still on
my right. Maney being in my rear in the line of march, I supposed
that he would be ordered up to the left. . Indeed, in the act of execu-
ting the forward movement in line of battle, I was informed by Gen-
eral Smith that we were a supporting force to Major General Walker,
who was supposed to be ia our front.

My brigade is composed of the following regiments, which moved
in line, fiom right to left, in the order named: sixteenth Tennessee
regiment, Colonel D. M. Donneil, commanding ; eighth Tennessee
regiment, Colonel John II. Anderson commanding ; fifty-first and
fifty-second Tennessee regiments, Lieutenant Colonel John G. Hall
commanding ; twenty-eighth Tennessee regiment, Colonel S. S.
Stanton commanding ; thirty-eighth Tennessee regiment and Mur-
ray's Tennessee battalion, Colonel John C. Carter commanding, with
the battery of light artillery commanded by Captain Wm. W. Carnes.
The men moved up in splendid style, obeying all orders with the
alacrity and precision which is their habit on parade. With the infor-
mation I had received, believing Major General Walker in our front,
1 had directed each regiment to throw out skirmishers, and thua
guard against the too frequent and often criminal folly of pouring a

147

fire into the rear of our own comrades in arms when engaged against
a foe in front. This order I immediately countermanded when it
became quite evident that a most galling fire had been opened by the
enemy's batteries and infantry upon my right flank and a portion of
the centre. This fire continued for some minutes before the left flank
was engaged, and was the result of my line of battle being advanced
obliquely towards the right, instead of being parallel to the enemy's
line. It was certainly due also somewhat to the fact that the six-
teenth and eighth Tennessee regiments, extending their line into a
corn-field in open view of the enemy, whose position was concealed
by timber and undergrowth, were compelled to advance into the wood
in front, thus finding a better and more secure position, and some
cover for their men from the murderous fire which they were gallantly
sustaining.

The centre and left, however, soon became earnestly engaged.
Having no eligible position for artillery near the centre, I was com-
pelled to post Carnes' battery (Steuben artillerj) on the left of the
thirty-eighth Tennessee regiment, being the extreme left of my posi-
tion ; supposing, too, at that time, that I would be supported on the
left by the brigades both of Brigadier General Maney and Brigadier
General Strahl. My position was near the foot of a declivity, gently
rising towards the left and presenting on that flank the highest
ground on our line, and therefore the best position for artillery;
while that of the enemy was on an eminence rising from the drain or
low ground just in our front, many feet above ours, and protected by
works probably thrown up the previous night.

Immediately- after the enemy's fire was opened, I despatched the
order to commence firing to each of the commanding officers of regi-
ments, which was executed promptly and with coolness and precision.
I have reason to believe that the effect of our firing upon the enemy
was terrific, from the report of a wounded officer, who fell into the
hands of the enemy and subsequently escaped, and from a careful
survey of the battle-ground by some of the men after the action.

The enemy opened upon us a cross fire of two batteries and a concen-
trated shower of musket shot from a greatly superior force, their line
extending the full length of a brigade beyond, my unsupported left.
Our men met the terrible fire which was hurled upon them with con-
stancy, coolness, and undaunted courage, bearing the shock like vete-
rans, and not perceptibly wavering beneath its severity, and return-
ing shot for shot as far as their inferiority of numbers would allow.

After sustaining this fire for three hours and a half — from twelve,
M., to three and a half, P. M., — seeing that Brigadier General Smith,
immediately on my right, had withdrawn from the field, and learning
from some of my officers that their ammunition was nearly exhausted,
I determined to order the brigade to retire. Before, however, I could
give orders to execute this movement, a courier informed me that the
enemy was flanking my position, which, upon moving in that direc-
tion, I distinctly discovered, seeing his line moving through the ravine-
and undergrowth upon the left flank. I then despatched orders to the^
colonels and commander of the battery to withdraw to a hill about »

148

quarter of a mile in the rear. Discovering at this opportune moment
a supporting brigade approaching in line of battle, and not being able
to move rapidly enough to communicate with the General command-
ing (Brigadier General Clayton) in consequence of my being dis-
mounted, I requested the Colouel commanding the leading regiment
to move to my left and protect the men in retiring, which he did
promptly and efficiently. At the same time I informed him that the
enemy Was flanking our position.

Each of the regiments was withdrawn slowly and in good order.
Although all the horses of the battery, except three, were killed, and
about one-half of the company shot down, either killed or wounded,
thus rendering the battery useless to check the advance of the enemy's
flanking force, Captain Games, First Lieutenant Marshall and Second
Lieutenant Cockrill, of the artillery, remained with the battery until
they received orders to retire, narrowly escaping capture, and gal-
lantly standing at their posts until the last moment. Second Lieu-
tenant Van Yleck gallantly died at his post

After retiring from the field I at once despatched a staff officer to
Major General Cheatham, advising him of the position of the
brigade and informing him of the fact that our ammunition was
nearly exhausted, which was promptly supplied.

After five o'clock, P. M., the brigado was again ordered to take
position about four hundred yards to the right of the ground on which
we had fought the enemy. Major General Cleburne's division and
Smith's brigade, of Major General Cheatham's division, at about six
o'clock, P. M., on our immediate right, made a most gallant and suc-
cessful movement upon the enemy's position, but my brigade was not
ordered to participate in the glorious charge which cost the lives of
many brave patriots, and among them the heroic General Preston
Smith.

Having bivouacked at this position on Saturday night, on Sunday
morning a line of battle was again formed and held steadily for three
hours under a most harassing fire from the enemy's batteries. One
man of the sixteenth Tennessee regiment was severely wounded by a
round shot. About one o'clock, P. M., I was ordered to move the
brigade around to the right of our position, following Maney in moving
by the right flank. About six o'clock, P. M., Maney being on our
left, I was ordered to follow his movements in line of battle. Major
General Walker's division and Brigadier General Jackson's brigado,
of Cheatham's division, were already engaged fiercely in assaulting a
fortified position of the enemy, at which a very largo force of his
artillery had been concentrated. A furious contest was raging, with
wild and terrible carnage. Though the gallant troops of Walker and
Jackson held their position with unsurpassed stubbornness and hero'-
ism, yet the enemy, encouraged by the strength, natural and artificial,
of his position, and his concentrated forces, was making a most stub-
born fight. At this critical moment the two brigades (General
Maney's and my own) were precipitated, with a deafening hur-
rah and a rapid shock, to support our gallant comrades, who were con-
tending against unequal odds. The men were in the highest spirits,

149

and moved forward with an animation that I have never seen sur-
passed. At this time the scene was one of the most animated and
excitiDg that can be imagined. The whole issue of the combat seemed
suspended upon a moment's work. The shouts of our gallant patriots
presaged success, and every eye was lighted with victory. It came
at that propitious moment. The enemy, already daunted by the fierce
ordeal through which they had passed from the guns of Walker and
Jackson, could no longer bear the trial when the cheers of our rein-
forcing battalions were wafted to them on the evening breeze. They
broke in hopeless confusion and rout, precipitately fled before our
pursuing columns, leaving their dead and wounded behind them and
several pieces of their artillery. Although my brigade did not reach
the position in time to fire but a very few guns from the thirty-eighth
Tennessee regiment, yet it is a source of heartfelt satisfaction that
the cheers of the men and their impetuous charge assisted in striking
terror into the heart of the foe and in hastening his inglorious flight.

In this engagement and that of Saturday, the brigade captured
seventy-one prisoners, including a captain and two lieutenants. The
loss in the brigade was forty-four killed on the field, forty- three mis-
sing, (most of whom are known to be, and the others are supposed to
be, in the hands of the enemy,) and four hundred wounded.

Among the killed I regret to mention Captain Parks, sixteenth
Tennessee regiment ; Lieutenant Ilainey, Murray's battalion, attached
to the thirty-eighth Tennessee regiment ; Lieutenant Wade and Color-
bearer Bland, of the fifty-first and fifty- second Tennessee regiments;
Captain Whaley and Lieutenant Craig, of the twenty-eighth Tennes-
see regiment, and Lieutenant Van Vleck, Carnes' battery. Among
the wounded wero Colonels John H. Anderson and D. M. Donnell,
Lieutenant Colonel J. G. Hall, and Major T. G. Randle ; Captains
Puryear, Callom, and Bonds, and Lieutenants Cunningham, Leonard,
Flynn and Shaw, eighth Tennessee regiment; Lieutenants Potter,
Owen and Worthington, sixteenth Tennessee regiment ; Captain
McDonald, and Lieutenants Apple, Dauley and Taylor, twenty-eighth
Tennessee regiment; Adjutant Caruthers, Lieutenants Banks and
Ridout, thirty-eighth Tennessee regiment, and Captain Burton, Lieu-
tenants Billings, Chester, White, Hainey, Tillman and Wade, fifty-
first and fifty-second Tennessee regiments. All the field officers of the
brigade, and the officers of the battery, acted with such distinguished
gallantry that I feel it wo'uld be invidious to make a distinction.
Company officers and men, wrth very inconsiderable exceptions that
have come to my knowledge, bore themselves with a gallantry and
steadiness becoming patriots contending for freedom and all that hon-
orable men hold dear.

I am indebted for valuable assistance during the engagement to my
staff officers, Captain Leon Trousdale, assistant adjutant general,
Captain E. F. Lee, assistant inspector general, my aids-de-camp,
Lieutenant E. T. Harris, and Lieutenant Sidney Womack, and Mr.
Charles T. Smith. They each discharged their duties with fidelity
and zeal. One of my couriers, Mr. William S. Hill, won the com-
mendation of all and my warm thanks, for his gallantry and alacrity

150

in the discharge of his perilous duties. Brigadier General W. C.
Whitthorne, adjutant general of Tennessee, volunteered to act as aid-
de-camp on the first day's march from Chattanooga, and discharged
the various duties that I assigned to him with a promptness, courage
and ability which merit and receive my warmest thanks. On the
field General Whitthorne conducted himself with conspicuous gal-
lantry. The infirmary corps discharged their duties with such fear-
lessness and fidelity as to attract ray special observation. The provost
guard also, under their worthy and gallant provost marshal, Lieuten-
ant Richardson, fully fulfilled the standard of their duties. They lost
one killed and two wounded in the engagement of Saturday.

I unite with all true patriots of our country in returning thanks to
Almighty God, without whose assistance our strength is weakness, for
the substantial victory with which he has crowned our efforts.

I herewith transmit the reports of the regimental commanders of
the brigade, to which your especial attention is respectfully invoked.

I regret I cannot accompany them with the report of Captain Carnes,
commanding battery, whose absence on business connected with his
battery necessarily delays its preparation.

I have the honor to be, Major, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,
MARCUS J. WRIGHT,

Brigadier General.

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL J. K. JACKSON.

Headquarters Jackson's Brigade, Cheatham's Division, ^

Polk's Corps, Army of Tennessee, >

Before Chattanooga, October 3, 1863. )

Major John Ingram,

A. A. G. Cheatham's Division, Polk's Corp1;, A. T. :

Major: On the 19th September, IS63, at about seven o'clock in
the morning, the brigade which I have the honor to command, being
the advance of Major General Cheatham's division, crossed Chicka-
mauga creek at Hunt's or Dalton's ford, about a mile below Lee &
Gordon's mill The brigade was immediately deployed in line of
battle on the west side of the creek, and awaited the crossing by the
remainder of the division.

At about nine o'clock, A. M., moved by the flank in a northwestern
direction and formed line in the rear <:f Major General Euckner's
right, as his reserve. Remained in this position about an hour, when
an order was received to move still further to the right to the support
of Major General Walker. Passing rapidly about half a mile north-
ward by the right flank, the brigade reached the ro*d leading from
Alexander's bridge, and proceeded thence westward about half a mile.
Here the line of Major General Walker's troops was reached. My
brigade was immediately placed in line of battle and ordered to
advance. The order was promptly and cheerfully obeyed, and the
advance continued about one hundred and fifty yards, when the enemy
opened fire upon my left and centre. The brigade returned the fire,
which soon became general. A charge being ordered, the troops
responded with great intrepidity, driving the enemy before them from
a half to three-quarters of a mile, capturing three pieces of artillery,
which were immediately sent to the rear; also, a large number of
knapsacks, from which the enemy had been driven.

At this point the enemy, being heavily reinforced and having the
advantage of breastworks, checked the advance of the brigade and
stubbornly held their ground.

Seeing troops on the left retiring, I sent to enquire the meaning of
it, and was informed that it was part of Brigadier General Treston
Smith's brigade, which had been pressed back by superior numbers,
thus leaving my left flank entirely exposed. Soon after my left fell
back, under the false impression that a retreat had been ordered, but
were immediately rallied and reformed, and promptly retook their
original position. Learning that the enemy were endeavoring to turn
my right, which was not protected by any iufantry force, and the left
being exposed and nearly out of ammunition, I sent a staff officer to
request Brigadier General Maney, whose brigade was in reserve, to
come to my relief. The contest had now lasted for about two hours,
and had been unusually severe. ' My battery, commanded by Captain

152

John Scogin, had moved up with the line and done good service
Brigadier General Maney's brigade moved forward gallantly, and,
upon being relieved by him, I ordered my brigade to retire," which
was dote slowly and in good order.

"\\ bile moving to the rear the horses of one piece and one caisson
were disabled, and consequently that piece and caisson fell into the
hands of the enemy, but were subsequently recovered. Line of battle
was formed, again, in the position occupied before the advance and
on the right of Turner's battery. My battery was so posted as to
have a cross fire in front of Turner's battery. The enemy's advance
upon us was checked at this point.

A little before dark Major General Cleburne, having formed a line
on my right, making an obtuse angle with mine, commenced a for-
ward movement, and about the same time an order was received from
Major General Cheatham to move up my brigade also, which was
promptly done.

The fire of small arms immediately became very severe. The left
of my brigade, thinking, in the darkening twilight, that Major Gene-
ral Cleburne's line was in their front, became a little confused by the
suddenness and severity of the fire, but were soon brought up and
the whole fine advanced about six hundred yards. Here the firing
abruptly ceased, and, it being now quite dark and the impression
still prevailing that our friends were in front, Major W. D. C. Lloyd,
my volunteer flid-de-camp, and Lieutenant S. S. Harris, acting
inspector general of my brigade, rode forward to ascertain the facts,
when Major Lloyd rode into the enemy's lines and was captured.

My brigade had moved in Major General Cleburne's line, with
Brigadier Geneial Deshler's brigade on its left. About nine o'clock
at night, in order to allow Brigadier General Deshler to close upon
his own division, 1 ordered my brigade to retire to its original posi-
tion, where it remained until morning.

On Sunday morning, the 20th instant, in pursuance of orders from
Major General Cheatham, I moved by the left flank about half a mile
and took position as a reserve in the rear of Brigadier General
Maney's brigade. Remaining there until about eleven o'clock, A.
M., I moved, by order, back to my original position. Here an order
was received from General Bragg, through Major Falconer, assistant
adjutant general, to move at once with my brigade to the right and
front and report to Lieutenant General Hill. I moved promptly by
the right flank and sent Captain Merino, my assistant adjutant gene-
ral, and Lieutenant Harris to find Lieutenant General Hill. They
returned, reporting their search unsuccessful. At this point, Lieu-
tenant General Polk ordered me to take position on the right of
Brigadier General Poik and to move forward at once. Deeming it
proper, in pursuance of the order of the commanding General, to
report to Lieutenant General Hill for orders, I moved still further by
the right flank and to the right of Brigadier General Polk's brigade,
and sent again to Lieutenant General Hill, who directed that my
brigade should take position on Brigadier General Liddell's left and
fill up a gap between that brigade and Major General Clebume'a

153

right. A staff officer of Lieutenant General Hill having indicated
the position my brigade was to take, it was moved forward some one
hundred and fifty yards, when the commanding officer of my sharp-
shooters reported skirmishers of the enemy in heavy force on my left
and opposite the gap on Major General Cleburne's right, which my
brigade was insufficient to fill. I directed two additional companies
to be deployed as skirmishers, with orders to the five companies, con-
sisting of my battalion of sharpshooters and these two companies,' to
dislodge the enemy. After considerable skirmishing, Major Whitely,
of my battalion of sharpshooters, reported that he could not dislodge
the enemy ; that they were in strong force, and supported by a line
of battle and a battery.

I immediately reported these facts to Lieutenant General Hill, and
that if I advanced, the gap not being filled up, my left flank would
be exposed to an enfilading fire. He sent me an order, nevertheless,
to form on Brigadier General Liddell's left and move forward with
his line. This order was promptly executed. The brigade, with the
battery in the centre, moved forward in splendid style about one
hundred yards, when the enemy opened a galling fire from the front
and left flank, enfilading the entire line, with canister and small arms.
The engagement now became terrific, and the position of my brigade
extremely critical. The troop?, however, stood nobly to the work
before them and, steadily advancing, surmounted the hill on which
the enemy's breastworks were, the battery moving with the line and
rendering effective service. The enemy were driven from their
breastworks, and Brigadier General Maney's brigade, coming up at
this opportune moment, charged them, and the contest was o,ver. At
daylight on Monday morning the enemy was found to have sought
safety in flight, under the cover of darkness.

The report of my provost marshal shows the capture of seventy-
four prisoners, (not including wounded men,) representing twenty-two
regiments, and from five States.

I annex a list of the killed, wounded and missing of my command,
which was composed, from right to left, as follows : Second Georgia,
battalion sharpshooters, eighth Mississippi regiment, fifth Mississippi
regiment, Scogin's battery, second battalion of first Confederate regi-
ment, and the fifth Georgia regiment.

The total efFective was one thousand two hundred and eighty-six ;
the aggregate effective, one thousand four hundred and five ; loss,
four hundred and ninety ; from which it will be perceived that the
per centage of casualties was 34.87, and that the greatest loss was in
the fifth Georgia regiment, amounting to nearly 55 per cent.
I am, Major, respectfully, &c,

JOHN K. JACKSON,
Brigadier General commanding Biigade.

154

TABULAR STATEMENT of the Casualties of Jackscyvs Brigade,
Cheatham's Division, Polk's Corps, Army of Tennessee, on the 1:U'.
end 20th September, 1863, in the battle of Chickamauga.

Command.

■i

H
X

' -

H
O

■

< H

="
»
j

K
•s.

■

- 2
< <

Peh

CRRTASfe

5
108
401
252
89
194
3S3

10
27

27
84
70
11
73
1CJ

1 20.00
30 27.77
94 23.20

Illl
876
22.S
80
181
1.1

1 7.'. 29. 70

1
2

13 14.60
88 B.78

194 64.94

Second battalion First Confederate regiment..

T..t:,l

1286

i x>;.

i 65

430

490 :US7

n> erajte.

JOHN K. JACKSON,
Biigadier General commanding.

It,)

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL A. GRACIE.

Headquarters Gracie's Brigade, )
In front of Chattanooga, October 2, 1863. )

To J. L. SlNFORD,

Assistant Adjutant General :

Captain : I have the honor of herewith forwarding the report of
the operations of my brigade, composed of the sixty-third regiment
Tennessee volunteers, Lieutenant Colonel A. Fulkerson commanding;
forty-third regiment Alabama volunteers, Colonel Y. M. Moody com-
manding ; first battalion Alabama legion, Lieutenant Colonel J. H.
Holt commanding; second battalion Alabama legion, Lieutenant Col-
onel B. Hall, Jr., commanding ; third battalion Alabama legion, Lieu-
tenant Colonel J. W. A. Sanford commanding, on the days of the
19th and 20th September, 1863.

Tnking position on the evening of the 18th instant at Dalton's ford,
on Chickamauga river; early on the morning of the 19th, the brigade
formed its first line of battle, facing the enemy's works, near Lee &
Gordon's* mill. It was exposed to the fire of the enemy's shell,
wounding Lieutenant Lane and others of the sixty-third Tennessee
regiment. Further than this the brigade was not engaged in this day's
fight.

On the morning of the 20th, the brigade was ordered to near Dyer s
house, on the Chattanooga road, where, again forming line of battle,
it again received the fire of the enemy's shell. Between four and five
o'clock, P. M., orders were received to support Kershaw's brigade,
posted to the left of the Chattanooga road. Word was sent to Gene-
ral Kershaw that the brigade was ready, and he ordered it to advance.
Passing through Kershaw's command, the brigade found itself suddenly
in the presence of the enemy, strongly posted behind breastworks of
logs and rails, on the crest of an opposite hill. The fire of musketry,
grape and canister immediately commenced, but, undaunted, the brigade
scaled the precipitous heights, driving the enemy before it, and took
possession of the hill. Holding these heights for nearly an hour, and
ammunition becoming scarce, I informed Brigadier General Preston,
commanding division, that, unless supported, the brigade could not
much longer hold out. Trigg's and Kelly's brigades were ordered
to my relief. Though with ammunition nearly exhausted, the brigade
held its own till the scattering fire of its musketry betrayed its con-
dition to the enemy. Trigg's and Kelly's brigades arriving, the com-
mand withdrew to replenish its empty cartridge boxes.

Early the next morning the brigade resumed the position it had so
nobly won. The number of killed and wounded, shows the desperate
nature of the contest ; of about eighteen hundred and seventy carried
into action, ninety were killed and six hundred and fifteen wounded.

Where so many distinguished themselves it would be difficult to

156

particularize ; all nobly did their duty. I would, however, call atten-
tion to the following named officers : Lieutenant Colonel A. Fulker-
son, sixty-third regiment Tennessee volunteers, who, in the absence
of the colonel, commanded the regiment and led it into action; to him
it owes its discipline and its efficiency. Colonel Fulkerson was
severely wounded in the arm, making, with the one received at Shiloh,
the second during the war. He is deserving of a much higher position.

Colonel Y. M. Moody, of the forty-fifth Alabama regiment, always
at the head of his regiment on the march, maintained the same posi-
tion on the field, rallying and encouraging his men.

Lieutenant Colonel J. J. Jolly, of the same regiment, though
seriously wounded in the thigh, remained on the field until no longer
able to walk, and then had to be carried off.

Lieutenant Colonel J. H. Holt, of the first battalion Alabama legion.
This battalion sustained the heaviest loss ; of two hundred and thirty-
nnie carried into action, one hundred and sixty-nine were killed and
wounded; among the latter was Lieutenant Colonel Holt, s-eriously, in
the knee.

Lieutenant Colonel Boiling Hall, commanding second battalion
Alabama legion. It was this battalion that first gained the hill and
placed its colors on the enemy's works. Its colors bear marks of over
eighty bullets. Its bearer, Robert Y. Iliett, though thrice wounded
and flag-staff thrice shot a>vay, carried his charge throughout the en-
tire fight. He deserves not only mention but promotion.

Lieutenant Colonel Hall behaved most gallantly, receiving a severe
wound in the thigh.

Lieutenant Colonel John W. A. Sanford, commanding the third
battalion Alabama legion, and Major McLerffcan, commanding the
fourth battalion Alabama legion, nobly did their duty, sustaining
heavy loss, both in officers and men. Captain W. B. Walton, company
B, second battalion Alabama legion, was wounded in the breast, arm
and shoulder, inside the enemy's works. His case deserves special
mention. Assistant Surgeon James B. Luckie, of the third battalion
Alabama legion, both in the field and at the hospital, was most attentive
to the wounded, as indeed were all the medical officers of the command.
Captain II. E. Jones, my assistant adjutant general, was most con-
spicuous for coolness and gallantry, carrying orders into the thickest
of the fight; he was more exposed than any one in the field. Also ray
aid-de-camp, Lieutenant E. B. Cherry. I am happy to state that,
though both these officers had their horses shot under them, both
escaped unhurt. To Lieutenant J. N. Gilmer, adjutant of the Ala-
bama legion, who, during the absence of its commander, has acted as
my A. 1. General, and to Messrs. George C. Jones and J. T. Harwell
(both Avounded) my thanks are due for services rendered. Major E.
L. Hord, my quartermaster, who so completely equipped my brigade,
was constantly at his post, performing his onerous duties. Major C.
I\ Brown, my commissary, who, by untiring energy, kept the brigade
constantly supplied with cooked rations. My thanks are also due to
Lieutenant A. M. MacMurphy, my efficient ordnance officer.

Among the noble dead I have to record the names of Captain James

157

T. Gillespie and Lieutenant S. M. Deadrick, company I, sixty-third
Tennessee regiment; Captains 0. II. Prince, company A, and J. A.
P. Gordon, company C, Lieutenant Wm. II. Watkins company B,
forty-third Alabama regiment, and Lieutenant R. II. Bibb, of the first
battalion Alaban.a legion.

I am, Captain, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

A. GRACIE, Jr ,
Bri:adier General.

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL H. D. CLAYTON.

Headquarters Clayton's Brigade,

363. $

Near Chattanooga, October 3, 1S63

Major R. A. Hatcher,

Assistant Adjutant General Stewart's Division :

Major: The following report of the part taken by this brigade in
the battle of Chickamauga on the lDth and 20th of September, 1863,
is respectfully submitted : •

On Thursday, the 17th day of September, this brigade, consisting
of the eighteenth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-eighth Alabama regiments,
commanded respectively by Colonel J. T. Holtzclaw, Colonel L. T.
"Woodruff, and Lieutenant Colonel A. R. Lankford, and Humpries'
battery, took up the line of march from Lafayette, Walker county,
Georgia, "where it had been bivouacked a few days, towards the battle-
field. Resting the night of the 17th, near Rock Spring, it proceeded
the next day to Thcdford's ford on the Chickamauga creek. Briga-
dier General Bate's brigade proceeding down the creek a short dis-
tance,* his artillery engaged the enemy, who were then near
Alexander's bridge, my brigade being exposed to the Sre by which I
lost one man killed. I advanced three companies from the eighteenth
Alabama regiment across the creek as skirmishers, under command of
Major Hundley of that regiment, and rode over myself for the pur-
pose of making observations. Placing the three companies as
pickets in a piece of woodland, I crossed my whole brigade over the
creek, (the men*wading,) soon after nightfall, at a point a short dis-
tance above Thedford's ford, being the first troops to cross the creek
in that vicinity. I put the battery in position en the left, supported
by the thirty-eighth Alabama regiment, and directed the other regi-
ments to bivouac immediately upon the bank of the creek: Oil the
morning of the 19th, the other brigades (Brown's and Bate's) of the
division (Stewart's) having crossed the creek and forme I in my rear,
my brigade moved forward in line of battle at an early hour, a dis-
tance between one and two miles, until it reached a | from
which the enemy could be seen upon th . hills. brigade,
and so far as I could learn, the whole army, except upon the extreme
ri<rht, where the engagement had already began, halted until half-past
one o'clock, P. M., when it was ordered io the right about one mile.
Having received instructions as to the point upon which I should
direct my brigade, with the further admonition that, after having more
definitely located the enemy, I would have to act for myself and be
governed by ci cumstance3. I moved forward in line of battle with
skirmishers in front. Having proceeded a few hundred yards through
a dense undergrowth and being about to enter a cultivated field, I
halted for the purpose of correcting the alignment, when Colonel
John C. Carter, of the thirty-eighth Tennessee regimont, Wright's
brigade, Cheatham's division, came on foot from my left in great

159

haste and informed me that my brigade was marching in the wrong
direction, and that unless I changed my direction nearly perpendicu-
larly to the left, my brigade would soon be in range of the enemy's
small arms and artillery, which would enfilade my line; and that as
I then stood, the right of the enemy was in rear of my left. I im-
mediately changed my direction, and, marching by the left flank and
filing obliquely to the left and rear, (the nature of the ground not
admitting of any other movement.) had scarcely changed for the pur-
pose of moving in the new direction, when the enemy opened fire upon
us, which was promptly returned. The firing seeming to be too much
at random, I passed down and up the line calling the attention of
officers to the fact. I then diref ted my staff to inform regimental
commanders that I was about to order a charge. Passing again down
the line, I was informed by several officers that their ammunition was
expended, and I therefore reconsidered my first intention to charge
the enemy, being unable on account of the thick undergrowth to form
a satisfactory idea of his strength, and withdrew for the purpose of
replenishing the ammunition. This was dono in good order and with
little loss, the enemy having almost simultaneously ceased firing. In
this engagement the brigade lost near four hundred officers and men
killed and wounded. It began about half-past two o'clock and lasted
one hour. The enemy was formed in a semi-circle around and over a
slight elevation or hill which gave him great advantage in position,
and the manner in which both ends of my line were cross-fired upon
induce the opinion that wo were greatly out-numbered. I again moved
forward about four o'clock, the brigades of Generals Brown and Bate
having successively advanced and engaged the enemy. Passing Bate's
brigade, then in front, my line continued steadily forward with
promptness and spirit, accompanied nearly to the Chattanooga road
by the fifty-eighth Alabama regiment, Colonel Bush. Jones, (which
attracted my attention by the excellent order in which it moved,) and
a small portion of another regiment, which I did not recognise, both
of Bate's brigade. The enemy continued to retreat to and beyond
the Chattanooga road, near which my brigade captured two pieces of
artillery, which were brought off in the manner stated by my regi-
mental commanders, whose reports accompany this. My brigade con-
tinued the pursuit of the enemy one-half mile beyond the road, when
a staff officer reporting the enemy advancing in strong force from the
right, and it also having been reported to me through my assistant
adjutant general, by a staff officer, whom he did not recognize, that
the enemy's cavalry had been seen in force upon the left as if pre-
paring to advance, my brigade fell back across the road at leisure,
where I halted and reformed it in connection with the portion of Gen.
Bate's brigade already referred to. I take pleasure in mentioning
that Captains Crenshaw and Lee, with their companies, from the
fifty-eighth Alabama regiment, of Bate's brigade, accompanied mine
beyond the road. They are gallant officers. In this charge my brig-
ade captured fifty or sixty prisoners, besides the two pieces of artil-
lery, aud I have reason to believe that the loss in killed and wounded
intlicted upon the enemy, to some extent, compensated for our own in

ICO

the earlier engagement. Changing the direction of my line by a front
forward upon the right and the other two sides of a triangle being
formed by Generals Brown and Bates, night coming on, the troops
slept upon their arms within a few hundred yards of the enemy, who
could be distinctly heard erecting breastworks. During the night
my pickets brought in about forty prisoners, among whoui were seve-
ral officers of the lower grades. Early on the morning of the 20th,
the brigade was moved to the right and in a position about three hun-
dred yards from and parallel to the Chattanooga road. Here it
remained until eleven o'clock, subjected the most of the time to a
severe fire from the enemy's artillery, by which several men were
wounded. About eleven o'clock, Gei^ral Brown being in front, and
General Bate on my right, the whole division advanced under a most
terrible fire of grape and canister from the enemy's artillery, beforo
which several most gallant officers fell bravely leading their men,
among whom I cannot forbear to mention the name of the chivalrous
and accomplished Lieutenant Colonel R F. Juge, of the eighteenth
Alabama regiment. Notwithstanding this, the brigade pressed for-
ward through a narrow corn-field to the first pieces of artillery by the
road side, when two other batteries, one in front and one upon tho
right, assisted by small arms, began a most murderous fire, before
which all were compelled to retire. I was myself struck by a grape
shot and compelled to dismount for a short time. The thirty-eighth
Alabama regiment, scarcely breaking its line, fell back only a short
distance. The other regiments promptly reformed near the position
originally occupied by them, and moved forward to rejoin it. Gen.
Brown's brigade was reformed by Colonel Cook, (General B. having
been wounded,) on my left, and General Bate's brigade upon my
right. My own and General Brown's brigade soon moved forward
again to the road and then to the right towards the enemy, who were
ascertained to be there in strong position. General Bate was for:ned
iu my rear, and in this position the command remained until about
five o'clock, P. M., when I again moved my brigade forward. Soon
coming upon the enemy behind breastworks, they were gallantly
charged by my whole line with great spirit, the enemy fleeing in wild
disorder across a large open field, upon the edge of which I
ordered a halt, and the brigade continued to fire as long as the enemy,
could be seen. Many taking refuge in and around a hospital,
(Kelly's house,) I sent forward, first the thirty-eighth, and afterwards
the eighteenth Alabama regiments, which, together captured about
three hundred prisoners, besides near the same number of wounded.

Thus terminated the part taken by this brigade in the battle of
Chickamauga. I have omitted to say anything about the battery,
because it was under the chief of artillery for the division, except a
short time, during which I had no opportunity of using it. I suppose
the report in regard to it will more properly be made through tho
chief of artillery. The brigade went into action on the 19th with
thirteen hundred and fifty-two, total effective, and ninety-four officers.

It lost in the two days, twelve officers killed dead upon the field,
and eighty-nine men. Thirty have since died. Thirty-four officors

< 161

and four hundred and forty -nine men were wounled*and fifteen miss-
ing, making the aggregate, killed wounded and missing, six hundred and
twenty-nine. This does not include many who were slightly wounded
and did not leave the field. The brigade captured two pieces of
artillery, three hundred and ninety-six prisoners, besides about two
hundred and fifty wounded and in hospital. It collected twelve hundred
and forty-nine muskets and rifles, six hundred and forty sets of accoutre-
ments and twenty thousand cartridges. The greater portion of the,gui;s
and ammunition were carried off the field by my own ordnance
wagons. I claim for my brigade that it was the first and the last in the
division to encounter the enemy ; the first in the array to pierce the
enemy's centre and cross the Chattanooga roail, which was done on
Saturday evening near Brotherton's house. I conclude this report
by tendering my cordial thanks to and testifying in behalf of the
gallant men composing this brigade, in all whose ranks there
appeared not a single coward, and to the officers, worthy of such men,
leading them in every charge. My thanks are particularly due to Capt.
J. M. Macon, A. A. G., Lieut. J. Vidence, assistant inspector general,
and Lieutenant W. N. Knight, aid-de-camp, who rendered me prompt
and valuable services throughout the whole engagement, never once
shrinking from their duty. To the commanders of regwnents, I also
make my acknowledgments for the efficient manner in which they
directed and kept their commands together, the rnost difficult of all
duties upon the field. I also tender my thanks to Major General
Stewart, who was everywhere and under all circumstances present
with his command. <To the gallant dead, a contemplation of whom
saddens our hearts, we give our tears and a hearty "well done !"
May the God of battles give us courage to emulate their lieroic
examples, and, when the time shall come, bravely to share theU fate.
I am, Major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. D. CLAYTON,

Brigadier General.

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL W. B. BATE.

•• . •

Headquarters Bate's Brigade, Stewart's Division, >
In front of Chattanooga, October 9, 1863. \

Major R. A. Hatcher,

Assista7it Adjutant General :

Major : I have the honor to submit the following report of the par-
ticipation had by my brigade in the late three days' battle of the
Chickamauga, comprising the 18th, 19th and 20th ultimo:

Having been ordered to advance, take possession of and hold Thed-
fcrd's ford, but not to bring on a general engagement unless indis-
pensable to the accomplishment of these objects, I moved my com-
mand at once, at a double-quick, and occupied a wooded eminence
commanding it, and placed my battery, the Eufala light artillery, on
a cleared hill to the front and left, which overlooked the enemy, and
within a few hundred yards of his position. The attack, in which the
fourth Georgia battalion of sharpshooters, Major Caswell, and my
artillery alone were engaged, was brisk and spirited. In the mean-
time, however, the entire brigade was subjected to a severe shelling
from the enemy just above Alexander's bridge, and across the Chick-
amauga, by which one man was killed and five or six wounded. After
a few well-directed shots from my battery, which Captain Oliver
placed promptly in position, the enemy gave way. VThis was the opening
light of the battle of the Chickamauga. We bivouacked near the camp
of the enemy, commanding the two fords — Thedford's and the Bend
ford — where I crossed my command next morning at an early hour,
and formed line of battle in rear of Brigadier Generals Brown's and
Clayton's brigades, the whole under command of Major General
Stewart. We moved in this order, bearing to the right, through a
corn-field and woodland nearly two miles, at which point we were
halted for some hours. Here my artillery was put forward to develop
the enemy's position, which it did, drawing shell and round shot upon
cur lines, wounding three or four of my men. We were moved hence
by the right flank near a point where heavy volleys of musketry were
heard, and thence by the left flank in line of battle, some thr|e or
four hundred yards, and halted in the same relative position we nad
occupied during the earlier part of the day, mine being the rear line
of battle. At three o'clock, P. M., Brigadier Generals Clayton's and
Brown's brigades successively engaged the enemy. In about thirty
minutes I was ordered by Major General Stewart to advance — General
Clayton having withdrawn and Brown also passed to the rear. My
line of battle was organized by placing Caswell's battalion of sharp-
shooters (fourth Georgia) on the right, and in succession from, that
wing was the twentieth Tennessee, Colonel T. B. Smith ; thirty-
seventh Georgia, Colonel A. T. Rudler; fifty-eighth Alabama,
Colonel Bush. Jones, and fifteenth and thirty-seventh Tennessee,
Colonel R. C. Tyler, constituting the supporting line.. I had thrown

163

out no skirmishers. The whole command moved forward with spirit
and zeal, engaging the enemy hotly before it had proceeded two hun-
dred yards — his line extending in front and to the right and lefc of
U3. A battery in front of my extreme right played constantly and
with terrible effect upon that wing, until my right pressed within less
than fifty paces of it, when it was rapidly removed to prevent capture.
Another revealed its hydra-head immediately in the rear of this, sup-
ported by a second line,, hurling its death-dealing missiles more
destructively, if possible, upon our still advancing but already thinned
ranks. Having driven the first line back upon its support, a fre>h
battery and infantry were brought to play upon my right, which, by
its advanced position had become subject to an enfilade fire, gave way,
but not until Major Caswell, Colonel Smith and Colonel Rudler, the
three officers commanding respectively the three right battalions, were
wounded, and at least twenty-five per cent, of their numbers killed
and wounded. When the right gave way the enemy sought to follow
it up, and pressed his sharpshooters beyond the right flank, who,,
finding it well aligned and in the attitude of resistance, precipitated
themselves back and out of reach. The men were easily rallied, and
promptly reformed a short distance in the rear of the point to which
they had advanced. In this dash the enemy captured one of my
pieces and one of my couriers. It needed, however, but a moment to
retake the piece, which was handsomely done. In this contest i*.y
right retook the battle-flag of the fifty-first Tennessee regiment,
General Wright's brigade, which but a moment before ftid been
wrested from them by superior numbers and the flank movements of
the enemy. I was rejoiced to deprive him of this trophy, so recently
won, and return it to its gallant owners, hallowed as it is by its
baptism in the blood of Shiloh, Perryville and Murfreesboro'. My
left in the meantime, composed of the fifty-eighth Alabama, Colonel
Jones, and fifteenth and thirty-seventh Tennessee regiments, (consol-
idated,) Colonel Tyler, not being so much harassed by the enfilade
fire from the right, pressed steadily forward in fine order, driving the
enemy, who contested every inch of ground with dogged and persistent
obstinacy until forced beyond the Chattanooga road and several hun-
dred yards back into the wood, thus deranging his compact lines and
breaking his centre. In this charge Colonel Tyler captured three
guns ; and Colonel Jones participated with the thirty-eighth Alabama,
Colonel Woodruff, in the capture of three; for the particulars of
which I refer to their reports. It being nearly night, and having
advanced so far beyond the enemy's lines as to make them liable to a
flank movement, they returned from further pursuit to the point on
the battle-field to which I had ordered the Eufala light artillery, and
where General Clayton and I were reforming our shattered commands —
Colonel Tyler bringing with him his captured guns, aud Colonel
Jones in such fine order as to elicit my public commendation. Owiug
to a movement of the enemy to our right, the front of General Clay-
ton's command was changed by Major General Stewart to meet an
expected attack from that source, and my line was left fronting the
Chattanooga road. General Brown's command subsequently inter-

164

vened. Thus we bivouacked for the night upon the field of carnage,
enveloped by the smoke of battle and surrounded by the dead of
friend and foe.

Sunday morning found us in the line assumed the night previous,
and, under the order of Major General Stewart, I moved my com-
mand by the right flank five or six hundred yards, and took position
forward and on the right of General Brown's brigade, but in forming
the line was compelled to retire the right to an angle of about forty-
five degrees on account of the proximity of the enemy, located to
ray right oblique. Caswell's battalion of sharpshooters, under com-
mand of Lieutenaut Joel Towers, Captain Benjamin Turner hav-
ing been dangerously wounded the evening before, was thrown for-
ward and deployed at right angles with my right to guard against
s repetition of the movement of the previous evening, to turn that
fiank, to which we were liable, there being at that time no force sufii-
ciently near to intervene. Having assumed this line of battle, I had
a temporary barricade of logs hastily constructed, which gave par-
tial protection against the shower of grape, canister and shell which
continuously and most angrily saluted us. During the time that we
were subjected to this ordeal several men and officers were killed and
wounded, yet no restiveness or other evidence of demoralization was
manifested. t

At about nine, A: M., the brigade of General Deshler was placed
upon my right, prolonging the line, and observing the same inclina-
tion to fne rear. Soon thereafter, I received notice that General
Wood's brigade was in my front, and that the general movement would
be a successive one, by brigades, commencing on the right, and was
ordered by Major General Stewart to follow up the movement of Gen-
eral Deshler. After waiting, under a severe and incessant fire of
artillery, until about eleven o'clock, A. M., I communicated to General
Stewart that no movement on my right had taken place, that General
Deshler had been killed, and desired to know if I should longer
remain inactive. About this time there was firing in my front, and
Boon thereafter General Wood's command came back, passing over
my line. I was then ordered by Major General Stewart to advance
and attack. My command received the order with a shout, and moved
upon the foe at a rapid gait. The battalion of sharpshooters was
ordered to maintain its position at right angles to the line, and check,
if possible, if not to delay, any movement in that direction, giving
the earliest notice of the same. My right, as upon the evening pre-
vious, became hotly engaged almost the instant it assumed the offen-
sive. It was subject to a most galling fire of grape and musketry
from my right oblique and front, cutting down with great fatality the
twentieth Tennessee and thirty-seventh Georgia at every step, until
thev drove the enemy behind hi3 defences, from which, without sup-
port, either of artillery or infantry, they were unable to dislodge him.
General Deshler's brigade not having advanced, I called on Major
General Cleburne, who was near my right and rear, for assistance,
but he having none at his disposal which could be spared, I was com-
pelled to retire that wing of my brigade, or sacrifice it in uselessly

165

fighting thrice its numbers, with the advantage of the hill and breast-
works against it. I did so in good order, and without indecent histe,
and aligned it first in front and then placed it in rea,r of our flimsy
defenses. My left, the fifty-eighth Alabama, and fifteenth a"nd thirty-
ty-seventh Tennessee, the latter under command of Lieutent Colonel
Frazier, Colonel Tyler having been wounded, being further from the
enemy's line than my right, did not so soon bocorne engaged, neither
at this time subject to so severe a cross-fire, proceeded steadily on
and drove the enemy behind his works, which had been constructed
the night previous, on the very spot we had driven them from, and
maintained their position with a dogged tenacity until the twen-
tieth Tennessee and thirty- seventh Georgia were put in position
behind the barricade, and the battalion of sharpshooters drawn in.
The artillery of the enemy had ceased to play upon us, except at
slow intervals, and a part of their (Tyler and Jones) commands
having already returned, I despatched Lieutenant Blanchard, of my
staff, to ascertain their situation, who reported that he met them
returning with the balance of their commands in good order. I
placed them in position and awaited orders. I am unable to give a?
accurate an account of myleft as of my right, for the reason thatthe right
became first engaged, and the commanders of the three right battalions
Laving been wounded the evening previous, devolving the command
on junior officers, I felt that my personal services were most needed
\ which prevented my witnessing, so as to give in detail, the
incidents connected with that portion of the field. I found, however,
their dead in the breastworks of the enemy, which is the highest
evidence that can be afforded of what they did. In this fight, my
command lost thirty per cent, killed and wounded, in addition to the
heavy loss of the evening before. After a short respite, Major Gen-
eral Stewart ordered my command, (which still held its position in the
front line,) to the left, where it would be more secure from the artil-
lery missiles of the enemy on my right. Here we remained until
■about five, P. M., when I was ordered to form in rear of General
Clayton, and join him in taking the batteries and breastworks on our
right, from which we had suffered so heavily during the day. I
changed front forward on my right battalion, and, together with Gen-
eral Clayton's brigade, sobn were over the fortifications, driving the
enemy in confusion afid capturing a number of prisoners. In this
charge, Captain Tankersly commanded the fifteenth and thirty-
seventh Tennessee, Lieutenant Colonel Frazier having been wounded.
The Eufala light artillery, Capt. Oliver, had kept close to my infantry,
notwithstanding the obstruction of a dense wood, took position inside
the^fortificationSjand opened a rapid and destructive fire upon there-
treating foe until the curtain of night closed upon the scene. I claim
for this battery the honor of opening on Friday evening, and closing
on Sunday evening, the battle of Chickamauga.

My brigade went into the fight with muskets in the hands of one-
third of the men, but after the first charge Saturday evening every
man was supplied with a good Enfield rifle and ammunition to suit,
which was used with effect on their original owners the next day.

166

The dead and wounded of the enemy, over which we passed in driving
them back on Saturday and Sunday, gave an earnest of the telling effect
produced upon -them in both day's fight. Besides arming itself with
Enfield rifles, a detail from my command, under supervision of ray ord-
nanco officer, Jas. E. Rice, gathered upon the field and conveyed to the
ordnance train about two thousand efficient guns. The pieces
captured by Colonel Tyler, and those in which Colonel Jones partici-
pated in the capture, were taken to the rear and turned over to proper
officers.

My command entered the fight, Friday evening, with one thousand
and fifty-five guns, thirty provost guard, and a fair complement
of officers, out of which number it lost seven officers and fifty-nine
men killed, and five hundred and forty-one wounded, sixty-one of
whom were officers, making a total of six hundred and seven. It is
Been that every field officer in the brigade, excepting three, were
wounded. For further particulars, allow me to respectfully refcr to
the reports of the command ors of battalions and the battery, which are
herewith transmitted.

I cannot close this report without noticing the distinguished
services rendered, unworthy as the tribute may be, by my field officers,
Colonels Tyler, Smith, Rudler and Jones, Lieutenant Colonels Smith,
Myer and Frazier,- and Majors Caswell, Wall, Kendrick^ Shye and
Thornton ; to each of whom is due the highest meed of praise. It
would be invidious to make distinctions when each has played his part
bo well. Colonels Rudler and Smith and Major Caswell were pain-
fully, the last two seriously, v, ounded, at the head of their respective
commands, early in the engagement of Saturday, and compelled to
retire from the field, thus devolving the command of the twentieth
Tennessee on Major Shye ; the thirty-seventh Georgia on Lieutenant
Colonel Smith, and battalion of sharpshooters on Lieutenant Towers,
each of whom did his duty gallantly and nobly throughout the conflict.
Colonel Tyler, Lieutenant Colonels Myer and Frazier, Majors Wall,
Kendrick and Thornton were wounded, from which they suffered con?
siderably, (the last named officer prostrated by the explosion of a shell,)
but still remained at the post of duty, bearing themselves with
distinguished gallantry.

To each of my staff, Major Winchester, (who, notwithstanding his
leg was badly hurt from the fall of his horse when shot Friday even-
ing, continued in the field until the close of the flight,) Lieutenants
Blanchard and Bate, I am indebted for their hearty co-operation and
.prompt execution of my orders, notwithstanding each was unhorsed
by shots from the enemy. Also, to James E. Rice, brigade ordnance
officer, I am indebted for the prompt discharge of his duties ; but to
none are my thanks more signally due, or more cordially awarded,
than to my gallant young adjutant Captain W. C. Yancey, who while
cheering and encouraging my right wing, in its desperate charge on
Sunday, received a fearful wound, shattering his foot, and compelling
him to retire from the field. I take pleasure, also, in adding my testi-
mony, humble as it may be, to the hearty co-operation of the two
gallant brigades of Stewart's division, General Clayton's and Brown's,

167

in every charge in which it was the fortune of my command to engage.
Major General Stewart will accept my thanks, as a soldier's tri-
bute, for his polite and genial bearing, and personal assistance in the
thickest of the fight, the time when I felt I much needed it. While
I recount the services of the living, I cannot pass unremembere 1
the heroic \lead ; the cypress must be interwoven with the laurel. The
bloody field attested the sacrifice of many a noble spirit in the fierce
struggle — the private soldier vicing with the officer in deeds of high
daring and distinguished courage. While the river of death shall
lloat its sluggish current to the beautiful Tennessee, and the night
wind chant its solemn dirges over their soldier-graves, their names,
enshrined in the hearts of their countrymen, will be held in grateful
remembrance as the champions and defenders of their couutry, who
had sealed their devotion with their blood, on one o'f the most glorious
battlefields of our revolution.

I am, Major, most respectfully your obedient servant,

WILLIAM B. BATE,

Brigadier General.

REFORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL J. C. BROWN

Headquarters Brown's Brigade,
Before Chattanooga, October 13, 1^03

Major R. A. Hatcher.

Assistant Adjutant General St wart's Divmoyx

Major : I respectfully beg leave to submit the following as a report
of the part performed by my command in the battle of Chickaniauga
on the 19th and 20th of September, ISG3 :

My brigade consisted of the eighteenth Tennessee, Col. J. B. Palmer;
forty-fifth Tennessee, Colonel A. Searcy ; thirty-second Tennes-
see, Colonel Edward C. Cook; Newman's battalion, Major Tazewell
W. Newman, and the twenty-sixth Tennessee, Colonel John M. Lil-
lard, forming line from right to left in the order stated, numbering
twelve hundred effective men. On the morning of the 19th, Dawson's
battery of Georgia light artillery, four pieces, commanded by Lieutenant
R. W. Anderson, also reported to me.

At early dawn of the 19th I crossed the Chickamajnga at Ledford's
ford, and formed in rear of Brigadier General Clayton, six hundred
yards frcm that stream, Bate forming soon after in my rear. A little
after sunrise we moved to the front in that order, swinging the right
a little forward, until we came up with the division commanded by
Brigadier General Johnson, and formed on its left. About eleven
o'clock, we moved by the right flank four or five hundred yards in
rear of Johnson's division, and soon afterwards eight hundred yards
further, halting immediately in rear of the left of Cheatham's division,
which was then hotly engaged. His left brigade, being numerically
overpowered and repulsed, was relieved by Brigadier General Clayton,
immediately in my front. I followed this movement closely, being so
near to Clayton's line that many of my command were wounded and
a few killed before I could return the fire. The front line advanced
but little under the combined fire of the enemy's artillery and small
arms, until General Clayton reported his ammunition exhausted.

At about two, P. M., in obedience to orders received in person from
the Major General commanding, I relieved him, and encountered the
enemy in an unbroken forest, rendered the more difficult of passage
by the dense undergrowth which for more than two hundred vards ex-
tended along my entire line. And difficulties were still* further en-
hanced by the smoke of battle, and the burning of the woods rendered
it impossible to distinguish objects twenty paces in advance. My
skirmishers encountering the enemy at an hundred yards or less, I
pushed rapidly upon his lines, under a most terrific fire from all arms.
There was no position from which my artillery could be served with
advantage against the enemy, while two of his batteries immediately
in my front, and one almost on my right flank, filled the air with grape,
canister, shells and solid Bhot, while volley after volley of musketry, in

1G9

quick succession, swept my men by scores at every discharge. For
four hundred yards, however, my line steadily advanced without fal-
tering at any point until the enemy had been driven beyond the
tangled undergrowth and his first line completely routed. A stubborn
resistance from the second line, supported by artillery, posted upon a
slight acclivity in our front, and pouring showers of canister upon us
far a few minutes, checked our progress, but again we advanced,
driving back his second line up to and beyond the summit of the
ridge, until my right rested upon and my centre and left had passed
the crest. Unfortunately, however, at this moment, when the rout of
the second line was about being made as complete as the disaster to
the first a few minutes previous, a force of the enemy appeared upon
lay right flank, and had well nigh turned it, compelling the eighteenth
and forty-fifth Tennessee regiment to retire rapidly and in some con-
fusion under a heavy enfilading fire. This necessitated the withdrawal
of the centre and left, there being no support upon my right for a
mile and none in my rear nearer than six hundred yards, and which
was then not in motion.

Before reaching the summit of the ridge, many of the best and
bravest officers of ray command had been stricken down. Among these
may be named Colonel J. B. Palmer, severely wounded; ColonelJohn
M. Lillard, mortally wounded ; Lieutenant Colonel Butler, slightly
wounded ; Major Joyner and Major Tazewell W. Newman, severely
wounded, besides many line officers, whose services were almost indis-
] usable to their commands.

Soon after passing the dense undergrowth mentioned above, we killed
the horses and drove the gunners from five field pieces, three upon the
right and two in the centre. The command passed them but the men were
not permitted to fall out of ranks to remove them. Lieutenant An-
derson, of I/awson's battery, removed three of them (six-pounder rifle
brass pieces) to the rear, and the other two were removed by persons
unk.*own. In addition to this, the thirty-second Tennessee, in tho
centre, just before being withdrawn, and while a little beyond
the crest of the ridge, drove the enemy from two other field pieces
and silenced their fire, but did not reach them; while the left (twenty-
sixth Tennessee) drove him from a battery of the second line, but was
retired before reaching it. In this action Games' battery of light
artillery, of Wright's brigade, which had an hour or two previous
been captured by the enemy, was retaken by mycommad.

Brigadier General BaJ^clicveu me about , 1\ M., and I rapidly

refcrmed and replenish^Wiy ammunition in his rear, and, when ready
again to more forward, a staff officer announced that the enemy had
penetrated between Bate's left and Johnson's right and that his skir-
mishers were moving upon my flank. I immediately changed the
direction of my line at a double-quick, first sending forward a strong
line of skirmishers. But finding that the enemy had either retreated
or that the alarm was a false one, I reported the fact to the Major
(General commanding, and, in obedience to his orders, moved again to
the front and, passing the commands of Bate and Clayton, formed in
line beyond their left flank, almost upon the precise ground to which

I had previously pursued the enemy. Having placed my artillery in
position under the personal supervision of Major General Stewart,
and protected my front with skirmishers, was directed to remain and
hold the position during the night. The enemy was about two hundred
and fifty or three hundred yards distant in my front, but did not advance,
and, save an occasional shot on the picket line and a few shells about
night fall, there was no firing during that night.

Soon after daylight on Sunday morning, (the 20th,) in obedience to
orders from the Major Gen. commanding, 1 moved by the right flank five
hundred paces, inclining a little to the rear, so as to keep the crest of
the ridge. In a few moments the skirmishers encountered a sharp
fire from the enemy and were rapidly driven in on the right, six or
eight of them being shot down. They were immediately reinforced,
pushed cautiously forward, under such shelter as the ground and tim-
ber afforded, to a distance of one hundred and fifty yards, but so near
was the enemy that they could not be advanced further without pro-
voking an engagement, which I had been cautioned to avoid until our
line could be established. Brigadier General Bate formed on ray right,
but at an angle with my line, his right retired. In a short time after-
ward Brigadier General Wood, of Cleburne's division, formed on my
right, a little in front of Bate. We erected temporary defences of
logs, rocks, brush and such other materials as could be hastily col-
lected.

At about half past ten, A. M., the enemy commenced shelling us
from two positions, one immediately in my front, about four hundred
yards distant, and the other more to my right, doing but little damage.

At about eleven o'clock, when ordered to advance, I moved in line
to the front, preceded by my skirmishers, who soon driving in the
enemy's skirmishers, rallied upon the command. We moved at double-
quick nearly three hundred yards through an open wood, the enemy
retiring before us, when the brigade on my right broke in confusion.
My line still advanced fifty or seventy-five yards further, and to within
fifty yards of the enemy's battery and line of defences, when the right,
wholly unsupported and receiving a terrible cross fire of musketry
and artillery upon its flanks, broke and retired in disorder to our tem-
porary defences. I found all efforts to rally the eighteenth and forty-
fifth Tcnnesse, short of the defences, in vain and, indeed, impracticable,
under the storm of grape and canister which prevailed upon every
part of the field over which these two regiments passed. The centre
and left continued steadily to advance untUJkey crossed the Chatta-
nooga road two or three hundred yards, a^Bpassed the battery in our
front, but on the right flank of the thirty-second Tennessee regiment.
But being unsupported on the right, in consequence of the retreat of
the eighteenth and forty-fifth Tennessee regiments, it became neces-
sary to retire the remainder of the line, because to have advanced
further would have exposed it to the hazard of being cut off, while to
have remained stationary, without shelter and und?r fire from a pro-
tected foe, would have sacrificed the men without obtaining any com-
pensating advantage. I therefore ordered it to retire, which it accom-
plished in comparatively good order, to the original line. While

171

reforming my line, I received a slight wound, which disabled me from
duty for the remainder of the day, and I refer to the report of Colonel
Cook, upon whom the command devolved, for the conduct of the brig-
ade in the evening.

It would give me pleasure to mention the distinguished valor exhib-
ited by many officers and men throughout the action, but the limits
of this report will not permit it, and, by implication, injustice might
be done to others not named. With but few individual exception?,
the whole command did credit to the noble State which sent it into the
field, and added new lustre to the cause for which it fought.

To the regimental commanders, and to Lieutenant Colonel Hall,
of the forty-fifth, and Major McGuire, of the thirty-second, who
respectively commanded the skirmishers, I cheerfully accord the
highest meed of praise for bravery and skill. In the death of Colonel
Lillard, the country lost one of her best men and bravest soldiers, and
his command an officer whose place cannot be supplied. I feel deeply
the loss of Colonel Palmer's services in the field, for with him on the
right, the gallant Cook in the centre and the brave Lillard on the left.
I felt the utmost confidence in the unvaryiug steadiness of my line.

1 beg leave to refer you to the accompanying reports of my regi-
mental commanders (marked A, B, C, D and E) for detailed accounts
of the part borne by those several commands.

I cannot close without expressing my obligations to the members of
my staff, Captain H. J. Cherry, A. A. G. ; Captain Gid. II. Low,
A. A. Inspector General, and Lieutenant James T. Brown, A. D. C. ,
for the services rendered by them during the entire engagement.
More gallant men could not be found. They discharged their several
duties with a degree of fidelity and intrepidity which mere language
cannot reward. Major B. P. Roy, A. Q. M. General ; Major B. F.
Carter, A. C. S. ; Dr. James F. Grant, brigade Burgeon, and Lieu-
tenant Mark S. Cockrille, ordnance officer, performed their several
# duties with an efficiency and zeal deserving the highest praise. I am
also indebted to George B. McCallum and M. A. Carter, acting staff
officers, for valuable and efficient assistance on the field throughout
the battle.

I have the honor to be, Major,

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. C. BROWN, Brigadier General.

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL B. G. HUMPHREYS

Headquarters Brigade, }

Near Chattanooga, Tcnn., October 8, 1S63. ji

To Major J". M. Goggin,

Assistant Adjutant General :

Major : In obedience to orders, I have the honor to make the fol-
lowing report of the part taken by this brigade in the action of the
20th of September:

The brigade arrived on the battle-field, at Alexanders bridge, at
two o'clock, A. Mi, on the 20th, from western Virginia. About ten
o'clock General Kershaw ordered me into line of battle on his left.
Heavy firing was heard in our front, when we advanced in line
parallel to the Lafayette road. Crossing the road, we found the
enemy on a hill at the edge of an old field. General Kershaw at
once eDgaged him and drove him from his position. At this time
General Bushrod Johnson rode up to me and requested me to move
my brigade to General Kershaw's right, as the enemy were massin^-
in that direction and threatening a flank movement. I immediately
moved to General Kershaw's right, met the enemy in force, drove in
his skirmishers and found him entrenched en a hill with artillery.
After engaging him and reconnoitering his position, I found it impos-
sible to drive him from it.

I immediately informed General Longstreet of the enemy's position
and strength, and received orders from him to hold my position with-
out advancing, while he sent a division to attack him on the right and
left. The attack on my left was first made, with doubtful success; the
attack on my right was successful, driving the enemy from his posi-
tion in great confusion. It was now dark, and no further pursuit^
was made.

I refer you to the accompanying lists of casualties. The brigade
captured during the day over four hundred* prisoners, five stands of
colors and twelve hundred small arms.

On the 22d, learning that a party of the enemy was on the moun-
tain, near the gap at Rossville, I detached thirty men from the eigh-
teenth regiment, and the command of Captain Ratcliff, company A,
and Lieutenant Ottenburg, of company K, to skirmish for them. They
succeeded in capturing nine officers and one hundred and twenty men,
making a total of prisoners captured by the brigade, thirty-seven
officers and five hundred. and thirty-five men.

The individual cases of gallantry and daring among the officers and
men were numerous, and where all beh*ved so well it is unnecessary
to particularize. I cannot conclude this report without paying a
tribute of admiration to the bearing and dauntless courage of Briga-
dier General Kershaw and his brave Palmetto boys, who have so long
and so often fought side by side with the Mississippi troops. The
gallant and heroic daring Avith which they met the shock of battle,

173

and irresistibly drove back the Federal hosts, merits the highest
encomiums and lasting gratitude of the army and the country.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

" * BENJAMIN G. HUMPHREYS,

Brigadier Genera! command

REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL J. B. KERSHAW.

Headquarters Kershaw's Brigade
Near Chattanooga, October 15, 1863.

Maj or J. M. Goggw,

Assistant jidjuta?it General .'

Major: I respectfully submit the following report of the operations
of my own and Humphreys' brigade in the late battle of Chickamauga.
The mention of the latter brigade is necessarily general, from the
fact that General Humphreys' leport did not pass through me, and,
being on foot during the engagement, I could only assume a very
general command. I respectfully refer to the report of General Hum-
phreys for more particular information of his movements.

At midnight, on the 18th of September, the last of my brigade
arrived at the terminus of the railroad near Catoo3a station, and next
morning marched, under orders from the General commanding, to
Ringgold, at which place the command united with that of Brigadier
General Humphreys. About nightfall orders were received from the
Lieutenant General commanding to join General Hood with the com-
mand. Conducted by Colonel Dillard, we moved at once across
Alexander's bridge over Chickamauga creek, and bivouacked at one
o'clock, A. M., on the 20th. At nine o'clock we were ordered by the
Lieutenant General commanding to a position in reserve to Hood's
division, near the headquarters of the commanding General. About
eleven o'clock I was ordered forward with the command to report to
Major General Hood. Arriving, I found his troops engaged in front,
and a line of battle just going in. General Hood directed me to
form line in his rear, with my centre resting on the spot where I
found him, which I suppose was his centre. Forming line, Hum-
phreys on my left, as rapidly as possible, under fire of the enemy,
and in a thick wood, I moved as directed to the front. I had been
.iiree'eed to occupy a line of breastworks, but, before reaching that
point, a 6taff officer of the Lieutenant General commanding was sent
to direct me to a point further in advance. I crossed the Lafa}rette
road near a house, and, crossing the open ground, entered the woods
beyond, and proceeded nearly to what I understood to be the Cove
road. While passing through the last wood Lieutenant General
Longstroet directed me to look out for my right flank, and I had dis-
posed of Colonel Hennagan's eighth South Carolina, my right regi-
ment, in such a manner as to cover me in that direction as I supposed.
Having reached the point last mentioned, the firing on my right became
very heavy, and a portion of General Hood's division fell back along
iay line. I changed front almost perpendicularly to the right on Colo-
nel Nance's third South Carolina regiment, my left centre, Avhich I h:id
indicated as the directing battalion. This movement had just been
accomplished when an officer of Brigadier General Law's staft informed
me of the unfortunate loss of Major General Hood, and suggested

175

that, as senior brigadier, I should assume the direction of the two
brigades of that division on my right. General Bushrod Johnson was
present and called for a comparison of rank, which seemed to satisfy
him. Major Cunningham, assistant inspector general, General Hood's
staff, who had been sent by the General tu conduct me, made the oppor-
tune suggestion that the Lieutenant General commanding be informed.
Relieved by this, I requested him to direct General Humphreys to
move up and support me on my right, he having been thrown in
my rear by my change of front. General Johnson had undertaken to
advance a brigade on my left. The enemy occupied a skirt of wood
on the far side of the field around Dyer's house ; his right extending
into the wood beyond the field, his left crossing the Cove road. His
colors were ostentatiously displayed along the lines. The last of
Hood's division engaged in my front had just retired, when I ordered
the advance, directing Colonel Hennagan to exterjd to the right and
engage the enemy in that direction until Humphreys' arrival, who was
then in motion. The distance across the field was about eight hun-
dred yards, with a fence intervening about one quarter of the distance.
As soon as we crossed the fence I ordered bayonets fixed, and moved
at a double-quick, sending Lieutenant Colonel Gaillard's second South
Carolina regiment, my extreme left, to gain the enemy's right flank.
When within one hundred yards of the enemy they broke, and I
opened fire upon them along the whole line, but pursued them rapidly
over the first line of bills to the foot of the second, when I halted
under a heavy fire of artillery on the heights, sheltering the men as
much as possible, and there awaited the coming of Humphreys on my
right. The seventh South Carolina, Lieutenant Colonel Bland, my
right centre regiment, and the fifteenth South Carolina Lieutenant
Colonel Joseph F. Gist, had obliqued to the right. Colonel Henna-
gan had pursued the enemy so far to the right that, when Humphreys
got up, he occupied the interval between the fifteenth and eighth regi-
ments. Colonel Oates, fifteenth Alabama, Law's brigade, came up
on the right of the seventh and occupied the lino between that and
the fifteenth, and with those regiments advanced without orders. I
had sent to the right to direct that I should be informed when Hum-
phreys arrived.

Hearing the firing renewed on my right, I advanced the left wing,
third South Carolina, James battalion and second South Carolina, and
gained, in some points, the crest of the hill within a few yards of the
enemy's lines. After one of the most gallant struggles I have ever
witnessed, especially on the' part of the third South Carolina and
James' battalion, which occupied a position in front of the enemy's
battery, I was compelled to fall back to a point about two hundred
and fifty yards, where I determined to hold the enemy until reinforce-
ments arrived. The enemy soon advanced, but, by a cool, deliberate
fire, were quickly repulsed. General Humphreys reported that he
could make no further advance on account of the heavy force of the
enemy to his right. I directed him to make such disposition of his
troops as would cover my right flank. About three o'clock Brigadier
General Anderson's Mississippi brigade came to my support. I

176

described to him the situation, and suggested an attack on the right
flank of the position of the enemy. lie acquiesced in my view and
advanced his left, preparatory to the movement, covering his front with
skirmishers, who immediately became engaged, and drove in those of
the enemy ; but, raising a shout along their lines, they advanced their
line of battle at a charge, driving back Anderson's brigade in some
confusion. With hearty cheers the second and third South Carolina
and James' battalion engaged them with the utmost enthusiasm ;
Anderson's brigade promptly reformed and opened fire. His reserve
regiment came up, and, in ten minutes time, the enemy was driven
pell-mell. The second South Carolina and Anderson's brigade dashed
after him and drove him to the top of the hill, the second South
Carolina reaching the crest. The troops to his left having fallen back
to their former position, Lieutenant Colonel Gaillard says in his
report that " he was obliged, reluctantly, to fall back." This was an
attack on the right flank of the enemy, and the line was at an oblique
angle to my line. All of my regiments, except the second, though
not participating in the direct attack, served to hold the enemy in
position along that portion of the line, and were mostly engaged
during the attack. About four o'clock Grade's and Kelly's brigades
came up and reported to me. I directed them, the former to form on
my rear, and the latter to form on Grade's left. General Hindman
informed me that he was about to attack on Anderson's left, well on
the right flank of the enemy, with two ^brigades of infantry, with,
artillery. Soon after, he opened heavily in that direction, but sent
me word the attack was likely to fail unless a demonstration was made
along the front. 1 determined on an attack, combining all our forces.
McNair's brigade, which had come up on my right, Grade's, Kelly's,
Anderson's, my eighth, fifteenth and second regiments participating.
The rest of my brigade being, in whole or in part, out of ammuni-
tion, remained in reserve at their position. This was one of the
heaviest attacks of the war on a single point. The brigades went in
in magnificent order; General Gracie, under my own eye, led his
brigade, now for the first time under fire, most gallantly and efficiently ;
and. for more than an hour and a half, the struggle continued with
unabated fury. It terminated at sunset — the second South Carolina
being among the last to retire. At dark General Robinson, of Hood's
division, came up with bis brigade and picketed to my front. About
ten o'clock, I think, he informed me that the enemy had left. I imme-
diately communicated the fact to the Lieutenant General commanding.
In the morning General Robinson withdrew, and I sent forward
Lieutenant Colonel Gaillard to take possession of the enemy's hospital
and to picket to the front. The day was spent in caring for the
wounded, burying the dead and collecting arms. In the afternoon
Major General McLaws resumed command of the division. My
brigade was marched a few miles that night towards Chattanooga, and
next day drove in the enemy to their present lines, in conjunction
with Wofford's brigade, my eighth South Carolina being chiefly
engaged. But few men were lost in this affair. During the first
charge of the 20th my brigade captured nine pieces of artillery,

177

three of which were taken by tin eighth South Carolina, and some
half dozen caissons, with ammunition. Most of these were taken
before they could open fire. My losses were heavy, as will be Been by
reference to the accompanying detailed report Among them are
some of the most gallant and efficient officers and men of my com-
mand, and choice spirits of Carolina chivalry. Lieutenant Colonel
Elbert Bland, soventh South Carolina, fell at the head of his regiment
in the first moment of our triumph. A few momenta later, Major
John S Hard, his successor, was instantly killed. The command
then devolved on Captain E. J. Goggin. Captain J. M. Townsend,
commanding James' battalion, was killed, leading the charge upon
the enemy's stronghold. Lieutenant Colonel Iloole, eighth South
Carolina regiment, was killed in the early part of the action. Lieu-
tenant Colonel Bland was recognized generally as an officer of rare
ability. His power of command, his cool, dauntless courage and
self-control in battle, his excellent judgment, disciplinary skill and
ability in camp, marked him as a man of a high order of military
talent. His personal and social characteristics were equally noble
and elevated. In him we have lost a champion worthy of our glorious
cause. Major John S. Hard was a gallant and accomplished officer,
and has highly distinguished himself on every battle-field in which
his regiment has been engaged. Captain Townsend commanded his
battalion, on this occasion, in such a manner as to elicit my commen-
dation on the field, before he fell, and would, if he were living, have
been here mentioned with high distinction. Lieutenant Colonel Hoole
was an officer of much merit, but has been prevented by protracted
illness from attaining that distinction ho might have achieved with
his gallant regiment. He was much beloved for his personal qualities,
and his loss will be deeply deplored by his comrades. For particular
mention cf other brave spirits who have fallen, I respectfully refer to
the accompanying reports of regimental commanders. My pride and
satisfaction with the conduct of my entire brigade, in the engage-
ment, could not be more complete. Officers and men, each acted as if
impressed with the feeling that the destinies of the country depended
upon his own faithful, earnest and intelligent discharge of duty.** I
shall not attempt to particularize.

The only member of my staff with me during the whole day was
Captain C. R. Holmes, A. A. G. To him, as on all previous occa-
sions of this character, I am greatly indebted for the most valuable and
gallant services. He represented me on the right wing of my brigade.
1 detailed Second Lieutenant EL L. Tarley to act as aid-de camp,
and cannot too highly commend his gallantry, activity and efficiency
under the most trying circumstances. As an evidence of my apprecia-
tion, I detailed him to accompany tho captured flags to Richmond.
Lieutenant \V. M. Dwight, A A. and I. G., joined me in the after-
noon and aided me with his usual efficiency.

In the absence of horses for myself and staff, I detailed one man

from each regiment as orderlies to communicate with the command.

All of them rendered efficient service, and two, M. F. Milan, company

A, third South Carolina regiment, and Rawlins Rivers, company J,

178 '

second South Carolina regiment, were killed in the discharge of that
duty. Rivers had attracted my notice by gallant and intelligent ser-
vices in the same position at the battle of Fredericksburg.
I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. B. KERSHAW,
Brigadier General commanding.

REPORT OF COLONEL C. C. WILSON, COMMANDING

BRIGADE.

Headquarters Wilson's Brigade, >
Missionary Ridge, Oct. 1, 1863. $

Captain Joseph B. Cumming,

Assistant Adjutant General :

Captain: It was not uutil one o'clock on Friday night, the 18th
instant, that my brigade succeeded in crossing Shaelan ford, on the
Chickamauga river, the road having been blocked up by the wagons
and artillery trains of the brigades and divisions which preceded us
on the march. We bivouacked on the west side of the river that
night, prepared to follow our division on the next day's march. The
ordnance train of the division not having succeeded in crossing
Friday night, I was directed by special order from division headquar-
ters to remain with the train, holding my brigade as a guard until it
had crossed, and then to rejoin the division. I immediately detached
the thirtieth Georgia regiment and sent it to the ford as a guard to
that portion of the train that had not crossed, and to furnish fatigue
parties to help forward disabled or stalled wagons, having first recon-
noitred the position and thrown out two companies on each road lead-
ing to the ford to guard against suprise by the enemy. About nine
o'clock. A. M., the whole train had crossed and was put in motion,,
with the twenty-fifth Georgia and a section of the battery ahead as an
advance guard and the rest of the brigade in rear. In this order we
had marched about two miles from the ford, to' the intersection of the
road from Alexander's bridge with the road to Lee & Gordon's mill,
when I received, from one of General Forrest's staff, an order from
division headquarters, directing me to go with General Forrest and
obey his orders. The train was thereupon sent forward alone, and
the brigade filed to the right on the Alexander's bridge road, con-
ducted by the staff officer who had brought me the order. One com-
pany, however, of the thirtieth Georgia regiment, which had been
thrown out as skirmishers from the ford, had not yet overtaken the
regiment, and did not until the fight was over, but fell in on the left of
General Ector s brigade, and behaved gallantly, as I am informed,
during the engagement of that day. This was company B, Captain
Hitch. Riding forward with General Forrest, he informed me that
the enemy, in considerable fo^p, were engaging his cavalry to the
right and front of my position, and he directed me to select a position
and form line of battle on the left of the road, i formed my line on
the ridge of the long bill which, from the northeast, overlooks and
commands the plain where our first encounter with the enemy took
place, posting the artillery by sections on the most elevated positions
and opposite to the intervals between regiments. We had not
remained in this position long when an order from General Forrest
informed me that the enemy were pressing him sorely in front, and.

180

directed me to move upon bis left. This order was promptly exe-
cuted, the brigade moving off by the right flank, and filing up the
Alexander's bridge road about three-eighths of a mile was formed
forward into line. The line was scarcely formed "when firing com-
menced on the left. The order was given to move forward at once,
and the line stuped off with the enthusiasm of high hope .and patriotic
determination and the precision and accuracy which only disciplined
and instructed troops can attain. The enemy's skirmishers were
encountered at once and driven in on their first line, which opened
upon us a terrific fire. Steadily the line moved forward and poured
into the cnemy'g ranks a well-directed fire, which very soon caused
his line to break and fly from the field in CDn fusion, leaving dead and
wounded covering the field over which we marched. The command
still pressed forward oh the retreating foe, and soon encountered a
second line. of battle, which seemed to have been drawn up three or
four hundred yards in rear of the first; then again the contest was
renewed with great energy, and the position di puted with stubborn
resolve. The firing at this point was terrific, and many brave otficer3
and men fell while gallantly discharging their duties. For a time
our line wavered, and the overwhelming force of the enemy seemed
determined to drive us from the field. Rallying from the shock of
this new encounter, our line again moved forward with determination
and energy, and finally succeeded in driving back the enemy's second
line in confusion to his breastworks, which had been erected of fallen
trees about four hundred yards in rear of his second line. At thi3
time an order from General Forrest directed me not to press the enemy
further, but in the meantime our line had come within range of the
breastworks, from which a constant and galling fire was poured into
our ranks, and a heavy force was moving around our left flank. 1 at
once despatched one of my staff to General Ector, who 1 knew was a
nhort distance in our rear, with a request that he would move up on
my left. But before my messenger reached him, General Forrest
had ordered his brigade to the right — a position held up to that time
by the cavalry. In the meantime the enemy, having tuned my left,
poured an enfilading fire into our thinned ranks, and compelled the
whole left of the line to fall back, including the thirtieth Georgia
regiment, which occupied the centre. Observing this movement, and
pressed by a galling fire in front, the right of the line, made up of the
twenty-filth and twenty-ninth Georgia regiments, began slowly to fall
back. This movement having been promptly arrested, 1 passed
towards the left with a view of rallying the rest of the brigade, and
succeeded in restoring some order to tire thinned ranks of the thirtieth
Georgia, when I discovered the enemy still pressing .around the left
towards an open field, through which our line had advanced. I there-
upon directed Lieutenant Colonel Boynton, then commanding the
thirtieth Georgia, to fall back a little further to a wood on the left of
.the road, intending to reform on it. While this was being* done,
General Ector's brigade went in on the right of my line and thy
twenty-fifth and twenty-ninth Georgia regiments went with this brig-
ade again into the action, and remained with it during the fight of

181

that brigade, and the sharpshooters and Louisiana battalion were^
rallied and reformed in rear of other troops of our division, which at
this time had come up to our relief. Having been reformed and our
cartridge-boxes replenished, the brigade took up its position again,
remained on the battle-field that night, and moved with the division
next day.

During the action of this da}', (Sunday, the 20th instant,) it was
not our fortune to be much engaged. Our ranks had been much
reduced, and we mustered not over four hundred and fifty aggregate.
About twelve, M,, the right of our line having advanced some distance,
we. engaged the enemy in a thick wood, about half a mile from the
Chattanooga road, in connection with General Gist's brigade, which
was in front of us, and General Ectors, which was in our rear. At
this time the three brigades were occupying the same line nearly, and
this arrangement necessarily resulted in some confusion. After a
very unsatisfactory fight, lasting probably forty-five minutes, and in
which we lost some valuable officers and a few men, we were ordered
to fall back and reform. This was accomplished, the line falling
back a few hundred yards, where we remained until about five, P. M.,
when the line was reformed, with General Gist's brigade on the right,
General Ectors on the left and mine in the centre — the division being
un'der command of Gen. Gist — and advanced to the last charge, meet-
ing, however, no enemy, and having the satisfaction of taking up our
bivouac upon the field from which our enemy had been driven in con-
fusion. This brigade entered the fight with an effective force of
twelve hundred men, and lost, during the two days'. fighting, ninety-
nine killed, four hundred and twenty-six wounded and eighty missing.
Of the number missing, many were wounded and fell into the enemy's
hands, but were recaptured with the field hospital he had established
near the battle-field. Of the number wounded several have since
died, otnong them Lieutenant Colonel A. J. Williams, commanding
twenty-fifth Georgia regiment, a brave and gallant officer, to whom
much praise is due for his conduct on the field. He fell at his post
and in the efficient discharge of his duties.

A list of killed and wounded officers having been furnished, I deem
it unnecessary to embody it in this report. I may be permitted to
»ay, however, that among them were numbered the bravest, the truest
and the best. Where all behaved so well, it would be invidious to draw
distinctions. I know of no instance in which any officer shrunk from
the discharge of his duty, and in mentioning a few who fell under my
own observation I do not mean to disparage those who did not. I
notice, as worthy of commendation, the cases of Captains A. W. and
A. II. Smith, of the twenty-fifth Georgia regiment, and Captain
Spencer, of the twenty-ninth Georgia regiment, Lieutenants Altred
Bryant and A. B Sadler, of the first battalion Georgia sharpshooters,
who, notwithstanding they were wounded, remained with their com-
mands through the fight and discharged their duties to the end. I
respectfully ask the favorable consideration of the Major General
commanding to the cases of my assistant adjutant and inspector general,
First Lieutenant Robert Wayne, and of my acting assistant adjutant

132

general, First Lieutenant R. E. Lester. The first was seriously
wounded in the leg whilst in the discharge of his duties, and Lieu-
tenant Lester was wounded in the head and abdomen, under the same
circumstances, and had two horses killed under him. They were
both conspicuous in the fignt, riding fearlessly along the line in the
thickest of it, distributing orders, rallying the men when broken,
and setting an example to all of courage and devotion, and of a cool
and intelligent discharge of duty under the most trying circumstances,
worthy of all commendation. I acknowledge myself greatly indebted
to them. I respectfully ask their promotion to the rank of captains
in the department in which they are serving. I also take great plea-
sure in noticing the cases of First Lieutenant G. R. McRae, adjutant
of the twenty-ninth Georgia regiment, who was conspicuous in the
fight, encouraging his men and rallying them when broken, and who,
being left senior officer after the first engagement, assumed command
of the broken remnants, and gallantly led them in again on the left of
General Ector's brigade.

During the first day's fighting many prisoners were taken, but they
were turned over at once and no account kept of them, and many
were sent to the rear without a guard, not having men to spare for
that purpose. One section of my battery alone was able to get into
position, and did some service. The enemy had no artillery in our
front, and we took no pieces. The field was not such as to render
artillery useful.

In addition to the officers above named who, being wounded,
remained on the field, I will add the name of First Lieutenant A. H.
Harrell, company H, twenty-ninth Georgia regiment. About one
o'clock Sunday afternoon private Thomas Henderson, company A,
fourth Louisiana battalion, was captured by the enemy — he being in
advance of his battalion — but when the rout of the enemy commenced
made his escape from his guard, and, seizing a rifle, on his return to
our lines captured and brought in six of the enemy as prisoners,
delivering them to the guard of Brigadier General Bate.

I am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. C. WILSON,
Colonel commanding Brigade.

REPORT OF COLONEL A. J. VAUGHAN, COMMANDING

BRIGADE.

Brigade Headquarters in Field, )
In front of Chattanooga, Tennessee, October 4, 18G3. S

Major J. G. Porter,

Assistant Adjutant General :

Major : I beg leave to submit the following report of the action of
General Preston Smith's brigade, (composed of the one hundred and
fifty-fourth and thirteenth Tennessee regiments, under command of
Colonel A. J. Vaughan, Jr. ; twelfth and forty-seventh Tennessee
regiments, under command of Colonel W. M. Watkius; eleventh Ten-
nessee regiment, under command of Colonel G. W. Gordon ; twenty-
ninth Tennessee regiment, under command of Colonel Horace Rice ;
Scott's battery, under command of First Lieutenant John II. Marsh ;
and a battalion of sharpshooters, composed of two companies from
the twelfth and forty- seventh Tennessee regiments, one from the one
hundred and fifty-fourth Tennessee regimen't, ouc from the eleventh
and one from the twenty-ninth Tennessee regiments, under command
of Major J. W. Dawson, one hundred and fifty-fourth senior Tennessee
regiment, and Major William Green, 'eleventh Tennessee regiment.)
Cheatham's division, Polk's corps, army of Tennessee, in the battle
of Chickamauga and the occupation of Missionary ridge, on the 19th,
20th, 21st and' 2 2nd days of September, 1863:

On. the evening of the 17th September orders were received to
move General Preston Smith's brigade out on the Ringgold road to
the intersection of Lee & Gordon's mill road, thence to Rock Spring
church, where we bivouacked for the night in line of battle.

Early on the morning of the ISth of September we were ordered
to move forward in the direction of the ford below Lee & Gordon s
mill, on West Chickamauga. Our advance during the day was very
slow, having to wait for Buckner's corps to pa3S to the front and effect
a crossing of the creek, which they succeeded in doing about dark,
after heavy skirmishing. Wc bivouacked at night, in line of battle,
half a mile south of West Chickamauga.

Early on the morning of the 19th September the brigade moved
forward, crossed the creek, and formed in line of battle on the left of
Jackson's brigade. As soon as the division effected a crossing, we
moved forward near a mile, and formed line in similar order in rear
of Buckner's corps. We remained in this position a short time,
when we received orders to move by the right flank, in double-quick,
to the support of General Walker, who for some time had been
actively engaging the enemy. On arriving at the scene of action,
we found General Walker stoutly resisted, and his command much
exhausted from long and continued action. We were ordered to form
line immediately. Formed, as before, on left of General Jackson's
brigade. As soon as formed, we were ordered to advance and eDgagc

184

the enemy. We advanced but a short distance before we met the
enemy, advancing. We engaged him at once and furiously drove
him before us six or eight hundred yards, forcing him to take shelter
behind the breastworks from which he had advanced in the morning.
We moved steadily forward until within musket-range of their works,
and, notwithstanding we were subjected to a severe and concentrated
fne both of musketry and artillery, the brigade kept up a steady and
determined fire until the supply of'ammunition was nearly exhausted.
General Smith, being apprised of this, immediately informed General
Cheatham of the fact, at the same time assuring hira he was able to
hold the position until he could forward a brigade to his relief. Gen-
eral Strahl was ordered forward. As soon as he occupied General
Sinitb/s position, General Smith withdrew his brigade, moved some
four hundred yards to the rear, and reformed his line.

During this engagement, beginning at about twelve o'clock, M,
and closing about two o'clock, 1*. M., the officers and men of the dif-
ferent regiments of the brigade acted with conspicuous gallantry,
discharging every duty and responding to every order, with commen-
dable promptness.

Since all acted so well, I cannot particularise. Scott's battery,
under First Lieutenant J\>hn II. Marsh, advanced with the brigade,
and took po&ition, as ordered, under a heavy and destructive fire of
the enemy, so much so, that a number of men and horses were dis-
abled before the battery was placed for action. Immediately a rapid
and well directed fire was opened upon the enemy, with telling effect
upon his ranks. This fire was vigorously maintained until the brig-
ade was relieved and ordered to the rear. It was in this engagement
that First Lieutenant John H. Marsh was severely, if not danger-
ously, wounded, while gallantly encouraging his men and inspiring
them by his own distinguished coolness and heroism. The qpminand
then devolved upon Second Lieutenant A. T. Watson, who, through-
out the engagement, acted with commendable bravery.

In bringing on the engagement and in driving the enemy the
battalion of sharpshooters did efficient service, both officers and men
acting well their parts.

After supplying the command with ammunition and taking position
as ordered, it was found that Scott's battery was so disabled, by the
loss of men and horses, as to be unfit for action during the evening.
Turner's battery, of Mancy's brigade, was ordered to report to Gen-
eral Smith. It was placed on the right of the brigade, and did
effective service in checking the second advance of the enemy.
Throughout the evening Lieutenant Turner poured a murderous fire
into the enemy's ranks, his coolness and disregard of danger eliciting
the highest praise from the officers and men of the eutire brigade.
It was while supporting this battery that Major Da vson, one hundred
and fifty-fourth senior Tennessee regiment, in command of the. bat-
talion of sharpshooters, was severely wounded in the groin.

The enemy, finding it impossible to drive us from our position,
sullenly retired out of range, and comparative quiet prevailed along
our line until six o'clock, P. M., when General Smith, being informed

135

■y night attack was determined upon, was. ordered, go soon as
General Deshler's brigade of Major Genera! Cleburne's division
should advance to his front, to move his brigade forward as General
Deshler's support. After having advanced in this order some two
nu&dred yards, the engagement was commenced on the right and
exte&dod to Deshler's brigade in our front. Advancing a short dis-
tance further, it being quite dark, a portion of this brigade became
somewhat confused and fell back on our line. General Smith ordered
tiera to move forward, which order was obeyed. We continued to
iv'.vance but a short distance, when they a second time fell back on
our line and were again urged forward by General Smith. Instead
of moving direct to the front, they obliqued to the loft and uncovered
the two right regiments of General Smith's brigade. In the darkness,
General Smith did not know this, and a third time coming upon
troops at a halt in his immediate front, presuming them to belong to
General Deshler's command, he ant] Captain Thomas II. King, volun-
aid, roue to the front to ascertain the delay. On riding up to
the line (which proved to be the enemy) and asking who was in com-
mand of these troops, he was discovered to be a Confederate officer,
he and Captain King were both killed. I at the same time was
in front of my regiments, accompanied by Captain Donelson, acting
nit adjutant general to Genera! Smith, to know the cause of the
j of what I supposed to be a portion of General Deshler's com-
mand. Hiding up to a soldier, I asked him to what command he
belonged. Discovering that I was a Confederate officer, he fired at
me, missing me, but killing Captain Donelson, who was by my side.
i immediately ordered some tiles from the twelfth Tennessee regiment
t Bhoot him, which they did, killing him instantly. The line in
front, seeing their situation, cried out, " Don't shoot ; we surrender.*'
i then rode forward, and found them in the act of grounding their
arms. Discovering a stand of colors in my front, I asked, '* Who
those colors?'' The reply was, "The color-bearer." I then
said, " Sir, to what command do you belong ?" He replied, " To the
seventy-seventh Pennsylvania regiment." I then took from him the
stand of colors and handed them to Captain Carthell, forty-seventh
Tennessee regiment, and ordered him to turn them, with the prisoners
captured, about three hundred in number, over to General Cheatham.

The reason that I have been thus explicit in detailing the facts
connected with the capture of the stand of colors, they were claimed
to have been captured by Genoral Deshler's command.

Being informed that General Smith had been killed, I assumed the
command of the brigade, the command of my regiment devolving
upon Lieutenant Colonel R. W. Pitiman

After this there was no more firing of consequence. Orders were
received from Major General Cheatham to bivouac in line of battle
for the remainder of the night.

On the 20th my brigade was not actively engaged, being held as a
reserve. We were, however, subjected to a heavy artillery fire, kill-
ing and wounding several men. Late in the evening we were ordered
to the extreme right, where we remained until the morning of the

186

21st September. I then ordered the battalion of sharpshooters, under
command of Majors Green and Pearl, to deploy (so as to cover the
front of my brigade) and move as far as the top of Missionary ridge,
or discover the whereabouts of the enemy. In a short time, they
reported the enemy in the valley around Chattanooga.

At three o'clock, P. M., we were ordered to the extreme right of
the line, and bivouacked for the night near Byrd's mill.

On tho morning of the 22nd of September we moved, on the Shal-
lon ford road, in the direction of Chattanooga. When we arrived at
the foot of Missionary ridge, we formed line of battle on the left of
General Maney's brigade and advanced to the top of the ridge, meet-
ing with but little resistance, though the enemy were strongly posted.

Accompanying this will 'be found the reports of the several regi-
mental commanders, Major William Green, commanding battalion
of sharpshooters, and Lieutenant A T. Watson, commanding Scott's
battery, of the action taken by their respective commands, to which
I invite your attention. A list of the casualties of the brigade has
already been forwarded to headquarters.

I cannot close this report without alluding to the very efficient ser-
vice rendered me by Captain J. W. Harris, inspector general on
General Smith's staff, in carrying and executing all orders in the most
prompt manner possible. Also, Captain Emmett Cockrill, volunteer
aid to General Smith, deserves especial notice for the manner in which
he discharged every duty assigned hJra. Thanks are due Major King,
brigade commissary, for keeping the troops so well provided with
rations during the campaign from Lafayette, Georgia, to thi3 place.
Also, to Major Beecher, brigade quartermaster, for the efficient man-
ner in which our wounded were carried from the field. Thanks are
also due Captain Henry K. Beatty, brigade ordnance officer, for the
prompt and efficient manner in which the command was kept con-
stantly supplied with ammunition. Al§o, special credit is due Lieu-
tonant J. W. Cochran, brigade provost marshal, for the promptness
and efficiency displayed in discharging the duties of his office.

Especial attention is called to Colonel Rice's report in reference to
the gallant conduct of E. II. Clayton, courier to General Smith.
I am, Major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. J. VAUGHAN, Jr.,

Colonel commanding.

REPORT OF COLONEL C. A. SUGG, COMMANDING

BRIGADE.

Headquarters Gregg's Brigade, )
Top of Mission Ridge, Sept. 26, 1863. \

I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken
by Gregg's brigade in the actions of Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
(18th, 10th and 2dth instants,) while under my command :

Shortly after five o'clock, in the afternoon of Saturday, (19th.) the
brigade having then been hotly engaged for several hours, I was noti-
fied that General Gregg had been disabled by a severe wound in the
neck, and had been borne from the field, and that the command in
consequence devplved upon me. I accordingly reported to General
Johnson for orders. The brigade having fallen back, defensive posi-
tions were made for the night by posting pickets in advance and con-
structing breastworks of logs.

At seveu o'clock, the following morning, (Sunday, 20th,) I was
ordered to take position in rear of McNair's and Johnson's brigades,
in reserve. About eleven, A. M., the division being ordered forward,
we advanced some eight hundred yards, under heavy fire, when the
front line first wavered, then halted, in considerable confusion. It
soon rallied,- but, after advancing about two hundred yards farther,
halted a second time, in the face of a heavy force of the enemy,
strongly posted behind breastworks of rails and fallen timber. My
command suffering greatly in its position in rear, I now proposed to
General McNair to permit me to pass to the front. He consented,
and my command was ordered forward and succeeded in dislodging
the enemy from his position, though not without heavy loss. Major
C. W. Robertson, commanding fiftieth Tennessee, (Lieutenant Colonel
Beaumont having been killed the day before.) was here severely
wounded in the groin, while gallantly leading his regiment. Up to
this point all the fighting had taken place in thick cover. Steadily
advancing, the brigade now emerged from the timber into a cleared
field of considerable extent, gradually sloping down from the further
edge, where the enemy had posted a battery of eight guns. This
battery I was ordered to flank, leaving it on my right. Across the
open field the brigade charged and, supported on the right flank, cap-
tured the guns. Four of these pieces, rifled guns of the Ward pattern
and three-inch calibre, belcnging to the first Missouri (Federal) bat-
tery, are now appropriately in possession of the first Missouri (Bled-
soe's) battery, belonging to this brigade. A thickly wooded ridge in rear
of the captured battery, and commanding the position, was the next
point of attack. Ordered by General Johnson, in person, to take this
position, the brigade advanced to the assault, again without support
on the#right. The ridge was carried, and my battery, from the nature «
of the ground, being unable to keep up, the brigade was halted upon
its crest and disposed in such form as to sweep with its fire the slopes
and hollows on both sides of the ridge and hold the position until

1SS

the artillery eonld corae to our support. • So soon as the guns arrived,
they were placed in position to open lire upon -the enemy's battery of
rive pieces, covering the retreat of an ammunition train. In a few
minutes the enemy's cannoneers abandoned their guns; the tea i
were seen cutting loose the horses from their traces, and the whole
took to flight, leaving both battery and train in our possession. Later
in the day, the contents of the captured wagons served to repl<
the exhausted boxes of the brigade. Finding the position ccmu:
by still another ridge in front, but bearing to the right, the brigade
was ordered forward, the position in front taken, and my battery
of four guns posted so as to secure its possession, while skirmishers
were thrown cut to ascertain the position and force of the enemy,
lie was found to be in heavy force on the same ridge on my right.
Adjusting ray line accordingly, the brigade again moved forward,
charging the enemy in gallant style, under a heavy fire. Hero Lieu-
tenant Colonel J. B. Tillman, commanding fourth Tennessee, was
wounded in the shoulder, while nobly leading his men. The enemy was
driven back, but rallied and returned to the attack in greater force,
contesting the ground with unusual obstinacy. For the want of artil-
lery support, the right wing of the brigade fell back beyond the bat-
tery, left in the position already described, but was enabled to reform
under cover of the steady fire and unbroken front maintained !
third and fiftieth Tennessee, (Colonel C. II. Walker.) and
Texas, (Major R. M. Yanzandt,) by whom the guns were saved from
capture, and to whom the right wing was indebted for an opportunity
to recover from the temporary confusion into which it had b-en thrown.
This being quickly effected, and, perceiving the impossibility of hold-
ing the position, if captured, without the aid of artillery, I ordered
two guns to be moved: to my right, and believing that the teams would
be destroyed if the horses were attacked, I ordered them to be moved
up the hill by hand. The brigade was again ordered to charge, the
enemy was driven from the ridge and into the hollow beyond, but
the guns pushed forward and opened upon him with such telling effect
that he made no further effort to recover his lost ground. It was now
five o'clock in the afternoon, the brigade having advanced, since eleven
o'clock in the morning, fully three miles, describing, in its onward and
upward course, through timber and clearing, over hilltops and ridges,
a line approaching in shape very nearly the fourth of a circle. Find-
ing my ammunition exhausted, a supply was ordered and obtained
from the train previously captured from the enemy. Trigg's brigade
arriving on the ground at this juncture, I thankfully accepted the pro-
position of the commanding officer to form line in my front, and ordered
the brigade to fall back beyond the crest of the hill and rest for the
night ; and, no interruption being apprehended from the beaten enemy,
the brigade slept on the ground which it had so bravely won.

On the following day, more than one hundred of the enemy's dead

»wcre counted on the hillside and in the hollow immediately in front of

the brigade. Nor was the series of brilliant successes, thus briefly

described, won without heavy loss on our own part, though one greatly

inferior to that of the enemy, and inferior, too, to the loss of the

189

brigade on the previous day (Saturday). Where all, both officers and
men did so well, it is difficult as it would be unfair, to discrimi-
nate further than has been already dune in this report. At the same
time. I should be doing less than justice if I were to omit to make
specbil mention of the very efficient and important service rendered,
throughout the day and in every stage of tho conflict, by Bledsoe's
battery, Lieutenant R. L. Wood commanding.

A statement of the number of men engaged, of tho casualties sus-
tained, and of the captures made by the brigade, so far as an estimate
of them can now be obtained, will be found subjoined.
Very respectfully, vour obedient servant,

C. A. SUGG, ' ■
Colonel commanding Brigade.

AGGREGATE present in Gregg's Brigade, according to Field Return
of September 19, 1863.

Command. Aggregate present.

Forty-first Tennessee regiment, - 325

Fiftieth " * " - 104

Seventh Texas " - 177

Third Tennessee " - 274

Tenth " " - 1$Q

Thirtieth " " - . 185

First Tennessee battalion, - 82

Total infantry, - . - 1,387

Battery, - 84

Brigade staff, - 4

1,425

The foregoing represents the number of officers and men taken into
action on the morning of Saturday, 19th. No field return was called
for or made on the morning of Sunday, 20th.

AGGREGATE loss in Officers and 3Ien Killed, Wounded and Missing
in Gregg's Brigade, in the actions of September 18M, 19^ and 20/A.

Officers, non-commissioned officers and privates killed, one hundred
and seven; wounded, four hundred and seventy-five; inipr"ng. eoventv;
total, six hundred end fifty-two.

190

LIST OF CAPTURES made by Gregg's Brigade in the actions of Sep.
tembcr \Sth, \9th and 20th.

Captures. Amount.

'Prisoners, - ■* - No estimate.

Small arms, - - - No estimate.

Colors, - None

Artillery, - Thirteen pieces.

Wagons, . - - Five.

Ambulances, - One.

A 'number of prisoners were taken by the brigade on each day and
sent to the rear, but it is impossible to furnish an estimate which
would be even an approximation to the real number, therefore none
is attempted. Large quantities of arms were gathered on the ground
over, which the brigade passed and piled for removal, but. before they
could be counted, the brigade was ordered to change position, being
transferred from General Johnson's to General Walker's division.
The pieces of artillery, (thirteen in number,) in regard to the capture
of which it is understood that rival claims have been advanced, wore
not only captured by this brigade, but duly taken possession of at the
time by a detail made for the purpose, under charge of Lieutenant
Fletcher Beaumont, adjutant of the fiftieth Tennessee regiment.

STATEMENT OF ADJUTANT BEAUMONT IN REGARD TO
THE CAPTURE OF WINE PIECES OF ARTILLERY FROM
THE ENEMY ON BATTLE-FIELD OF CHICKAMAUGA.

In the Field, October 9, 1863.
Colonel Sugg :

Sir : Having been requested to furnish a written statement of the
facts regarding the capture from the enemy on the battle-field of
Chickamauga, September 20, 1S63, by General Gregg's brigade of
nine pieces of artillery, which I am enabled to do by reason of having
been your aid-de-camp on that day, and, as such, having sent the
pieces to the rear for safety in the event of an attempt to retake
them, I beg leave to submit the following, which will be endorsed by
members of the forty-first Tennessee regiment of this brigade, who
wer# witnesses to the statement herein set forth :

Preparatory to advancing upon the enemy, our division, consisting
of Generals Johnson's, McNair's, and Gregg's brigades, the whole
commanded by Brigadier General Johnson, was formed by placing
Johnson's brigade on the left, McNair's on the right, with two regi-
ments and a battalion, from our brigade, on the extreme left — the
remainder of the latter following as a support about one hundred
yards in rear of the front line. In this order the division moved off.
Ha ving gone some distance, McNair's brigade, immediately in our front,
halted, the enemj maintaining a brisk fire on the whole line, when, by
consent of its commander, our brigade passed over it and gained the
front line. Soon after we emerged into an open field, on the opposite
side of which, to our right and on an eminence commanding the field,
was posted the enemy's artillery. Seeing a rich prize within its grasp,
our brigade marched forward until it had gained the flank ; then
wheeling to the right, went up and possessed it, several of the
pieces having been silenced and abandoned before the brigade had
commenced to wheel. On reaching the guns we had so nobly won,
as your aid, I proceeded to take possession and have them removed
to the rear for safety against recapture. For this purpose I made a
detail of the men nearest to me, and, when I could find them, such
wounded as were able to ride horseback, and Federal prisoners, with
a guard. Every gun and its accompaniments which fell into our
hands were saved. I would also mention that instead of eight (8)
guns, as you estimate in your official report, there were nine (9) to
my knowledge, having seen that number myself after the fighting had
subsided in the evening of that day. Too eager to get them safely
to the rear, I did not stop to ascertain the exuet number, supposing
that I would have an opportunity to settle that point afterwards, as
I directed them to be taken to the hill our brigade was posted on
before the advance began.

I am, sir, respectfully, yours,

FLETCHER BEAUMONT,
Adjutant Fiftieth Tennessee regiment.

192

We fully concur in the above statement.

W. G. Vancleave, company H, fortj'-firat Tenncs

3. Haughtor., " " " "

B. W. Smith, fourth sergeant, " *'

A. P. N*. Bell?, company H,
A. J. Park, :-

Levi Osburn, •• " "

Willy Osburn, ** "

II. M. Fowler,

regiment.

The above name? are members of company H, forty- lire.: Tennes-
see regiment, and authorized me to sicn their names.

~ W. M. COOPER,
"st Lieutenant Co. }1, 4 1st Tennessee regiment.

REPORT OF COLONEL D. COLEMAN, COMMANDING

BRIGADE.

Headquarters McNair's Brigade. >
Camp 7iear Ringgold, Georgia, Sept. 24, 18G3. $

Captain Blakemore, A. A. A. General :

Captain: In obedience to Brigadier General Johnson's order of
yesterday, I have the honor to report the part taken by this bxagade
in the late battles:

Shortly before daylight on the 1 8th instant, this brigade, (Brigadier
General E. McNair,) in company with that of Brigadier General B.
R. Johnson, who commanded the whole force, left Catoosa station, on
the Chickamauga m-er, and marched, by way of Ringgold, by the
Larayette road to the intersection of the Graysville and Reed's bridge
roads. Here, cannonading ond sharp skirmishing being heard on the
left, line of battle was formed, with Johnson's brigade on the right,
and the force swept st6adily in this order, with skirmishers in front,
across the country to the left, the enemy giving away with scarcely
any resistance, to the Reed's bridge road, near the bridge. Thence
marched, hearing heavy musketry firing in front, to within one and a
half miles of Leo's mill, on the Chattanooga and Lee's mill road,
where it encamped in line for the night some time after dark.

On the 1 9th, just about eight, A. M., the battle having began on
the right, the brigade was placed in position in rear of Gregg's brig-
ado, with the artillery, Captain Culpepcr's three pieces, and the thirty-
ninth North Carolina regiment, Colonel Coleman, and twenty-fifth
Arkansas, Lieutenant Colonel Ilupstelder. Colonel Coleman, com-
manding both regiments, being ordered to support General. Gregg,
moved rapidly forward and, getting near Gregg's brigade, (then under
a terrific fire,) charged impetuously, passing over the left of Gregg's
brigade, with loud cheers, and drove the enemy in rapid flight through
the thick woods, across the Chattanooga road, past the small house,
a hundred yards on and in to the corn-fields beyond, making ;•.
tance altogether of about three-quarters of a mile. In this lasl
advance Lieutenant Calonel Ilupstelder fell, wounded with five balls.
Though the enemy, to whom we had been opposed in front, were in
flight, broken and in confusion, having sustained a heavy loss in killed,
the two regiments finding their tired and weakened line exposed t:> a
fatal Hanking fire, especially on the left, unsupported on account of
the rapidity of their advance, with an enemy's battery near on the
left and a strong enemy's reinforcement approaching, and our ammu-
nition nearly exhausted, the impracticability of longer holding
advanced and exposed position was immediately manifest and the force
was ordered back to the woods. Here they were reformed and, a fresh
line having passed to relieve them, were marched back to nearly their
original position to await ammunition, where they were joined by the
13

194

rest of the brigade, which finally moved forward to the position inline
where it was encamped for the night, between Johnson's brigade, on
the right, and Hindman's division, on the left.

The first, second and fourth Arkansas battalions, (consolidated,)
Major Ross, ail under the immediate command of General McNair,
were ordered forward soon after the advance of the thirty-ninth
North Carolina and twenty-fifth Arkansas, and charged on the right
of the course taken by the latter regiments and drove the enemy, in
successive charges, beyond the Chattanooga road. Here, on the
withdrawal of the thirty-ninth and twenty-fifth, being exposed to a
heavy flank fire on the left, besides that in front, and the ammunition
begining to fail, they rejoined the other two regiments.

The artillery, Captain Culpeper commanding, supported the advance
cf the brigade so long as it was safe to fire, and then, the undergrowth
being too thick to advance, remained in their position the remainder
of the day.

On the morning of the 2Dth, the brigade was placed in line between
Stewart's division, on the right, and Hindman's, on the left, with a
; barricade of branches and small dead wood in front. Here,
about half past nine, A M , the line repulsed an advance of the enemy.
In a ftw ninutes after, the brigade, advancing with the rest of the line,
drove the em my steadily and rapidly back, passing over two succes-
sive Jines of temporary breastworks, a distance of about three-quarters
of a mile, reaching the corner of the field, at the opposite end of which
were two batteries of the enemy's on a hill commanding the whole
advance. General McNair and Colonel Harper, first Arkansas rifles,
lad just been disabled by wounds, that of the latter officer mortal.
The brigade, already in advance of the line, charged furiously upon
the batteries diagonally on the right and captured them, taking ten
pieces, eight of which were immediately sent with their remaining
horses to our rear, and the remaining two, then in the wood, were
carried to the rear afterwards, the ground never having been reoccu-
pied by the enemy.

The brigade was now considerably in advance of the line, though
this was rapidly approaching; our left was still more exposed by the
break made by our diagonal charge; the enemy were firing from the
W.oods in front, while within two hundred yards farther in the woods
a large body of the enemy was seen drawn up in good order. Our
forces were reduced by our rapid advance and tlje ammunition nearly
exhausted. It was necessary at once to abandon our position. The
brigade retired back to the woods, procured ammunition and took posi-
tion in line on the left of Robinson's brigade. Here, on receiving an
order from Brigadier General Johnson, the brigade, under Colonel
Coleman, upon whom the command had devolved, advanced forward
and to the left, about half a mile, to the support of Johnson's brigade,
which was supporting Robinson's battery, which was stationed on the
brow of a hill to the right of the Lookout Valley road, at which point
the force there were resisting with difficulty the determined advance
of the enemy in heavy force. In a few minutes General Johnson
ordered our advance, when, passing the line immediately supporting the

195

battery, which line also advanced, we charged over the hill upon the
enemy and after a protracted and obstinate resistance, a bri^ado on
our right and Manigault's brigade on the ridge to our left advancing
on parallel lines to us, the enemy were completely driven from the
position. In this conflict we suffered much from a nankin" fire, arising
from tardy support on our left.

The artillery, Captain Culpeper, having assisted in repulsing the
enemy at half-past nine, A. M., was placed in position by General
Law, with his battery, and remained there during the day. I take
pleasure and pride in saying that the whole brigade behaved
most nobly during all the fighting of both days, being uniformly in
auvance of all others in every onset. Its losses and its trophies bear
ample testimony to its good conduct. In another report I propose to
particularize individual instances.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

D. COLEMAN,
Colonel ccm?nandi?ig Brigade.

STATEMENTS of told aggregates of McNair's Brigade
t Chiclcamauga, September 18th, 19th a;id 20th, 1863.

4th Ark i

25th A ■ isaSi

Total.

Aggregate.

254

273

355

415

125

139

232

247

111

133

— —

1,107

1,209

No. of rounds fired.

( inland.
Fi< . and Staff,
1st Aikan as, 254 273 70

2nd Arkansa 125 139 70

ar ilina, 232 247 go'

Total infantry, 1,107 1,209 About 75

OuJp utery, )

S. 0. artillery, \ 80 ^ 301 shots.

•
e caisson exploded, two horses killed and six wounded; one sett
wheel harness damaged. '

D. COLEMAN,
. , _ Colonel commanding McNair's Brigade.

Uenrt VYaldrop,

A. A. A. General.

196

TABULAR STATEMENT of Casualties in McNairs Brigade at
Chickamauga, on \Sth, ISth and 20th if September, 1863.

Command.

Killed

Field and Staff,

First Arkansas,

Fourth Arkansas,

Second Arkansas,

Thirty-ninth North Carolina,..

Twenty-fifth Arkansas,

t'ulpeper's S. C. battery.

"\Vo'.:.\i>K)>.

89
25
15
46
26

54
81
27
40
21
9

157 | 163

Missing. Total

16
29

106

] 03

103

441

Henry Waldrop,

D. COLEMAN,

Colonel commanding McNair's Brigade.

A, , A. A. General.

A STATEMENT of captures made by M<Nuir's Brigade at Chicka-
mauga, on the 18th, 19th and 20th of September, 1S63.

Ten pieces of artillery.

Several caissons, left on the field and brought off afterwards.

Six first class ordnance wagorvs.

Six wagon loads of small ammunition.

Brought off the field eight hundred fine rifles.

Piled up, for ordnance wagons, two thousand rifles.

Brought off the field twenty-six artillery horses.

Two stand of colors — one eighth Kansas, the other not remembered.

One taken from private Harry Barger, company I, twenty-fifth
Arkansas, by force, after capturing it himself, by an officer ranking
iirst lieutenant of Maney's brigade.

D. COLEMAN,
Colonel commanding McNair's Brigade.

Henry Waldrop,

A. A. A. General.

REPORT OF COLONEL JOHN S. FULTON, COMMANDING

BRIGADE.

Headquarters Johnson's Brigade, September 30, 1883.

Captain W. T. Blakemore,
' Acting Assistant Adjutant General :

I have to report the action taken with the enemy by the forty-
fourth, twenty-fifth, twenty-third and seventeenth Tennessee regiments,
composing this brigade, and company E, of the ninth Georgia bat-
talion of artillery, a battery of two howitzers and two small rifle
pieces, commanded by First Lieutenant W. S. Everett, in an affair at
and from Ringgold to Chickamauga creek, on the 17th and 18th
instants, and at the battle of Chickamauga, on the 19th and 20tL
instants,.

By order from Brigadier General Johnson, this brigade moved ait
three, P. M., on the l?th instant, from its encampment, three miles
south of Ringgold, on the Ringgold and Dalton road, in the following
order: twenty-fifth, forty-fourth, twrenty-third and seventeenth Ten-
nessee regiments. On our approaching Ringgold, a supply train on
its vray to Ringgold had been reversed and was rapidly returning.
At this juncture I received an order from General B. R. Johnson to
form the brigade in line of battle at the foot of Taylor's ridge, and
throw forward skirmishers to hold Ringgold. The twenty-fifth Ten-
nessee regiment, being in front, took position on its right flank, to
protect the wagons, rapidly moving to the rear. The brigade was
formed iu line of battle at the foot of Taylor's ridge, the forty-fourth
and twenty-fifth Tennessee regiments on the right of the road, and the
twenty- third and seventeenth Tennessee regiments on the left. A com-
pany from each regiment was sent, in charge of Major Davis, to hold
Ringgold, with a detachment of Scott's cavalry on my flanks. A section
of the battery was placed on my extreme right on elevated ground,
where I ordered it to open upon the enemy's battery, posted on the
hill above and to the northwest of Ringgold, which had fired two shots
into the town. After firing eight rounds I dislodged the enemy, who
was pursued by Colonel Scott's cavalry, with a section of Everett':--
lattery, six miles. He (Colonel Scott) having reached their encamp-
ment, a few rounds of grape and canister were fired among the enemy's
camp fires, when Colonel Scott, with the section of artillery, retired.
The brigade rested on their arms, in line of battle, during the night.
Rations were cooked and in haversacks by daylight on the morning
of tho 18th instant, when we took up the line of march to Lock's tan-
yard. After marching a short distaace, the line of march was changed.
The regiment countermarched and followed the enemy in the direction
of Chattanooga, and, having reached Keeler's (over-shot) mill, we-
found that the enemy were near us. The brigade was formed in line
of battle and skirmishers thrown forward, together wilh the left wing
of the forty- fourth Tennessee regiment, under General Forrest, fol-

198

lowed by the right of that regiment, under command of Lieutenant
Colonel McEweu, Jr. Lieutenant Everett fired a few rounds on the
enemy, under direction of General Forrest. The skirmishers of the
seventeenth Tennessee regiment engaged the eavalry pickets of the
enemy, killing three men and mortally wounding one. The enemy's
skirmishers having been driven back, the twenty-fifth, twenty-third
and seventeenth regiments were moved forward, crossing Peavine creek,
some six hundred yards from our first position into and over a corn-
field where these regiments were drawn up in line of battle. The
enemy had taken his position in the corn-field opposite, running to a
high ridge near the juncture of the Graysville and Lafayette, King-
gold and Chattanooga roads. A section of the first Missouri battery,
Bledsoe's, having been placed in position on my left by Generals
Johnson and Forrest, in rear of the seventeenth Tennessee, (the forty-
fourth was now brought to the right of the twenty -fifth Tennessee regi-
ment,) the firing from this battery drove the enemy from his position,
and, after shelling the woods in our front, I again received an order
to advance in line of battle. My skirmishers were kept deployed at
a distance of two hundred yards, which distance they kept, passing
over the ridge (a strong position) and forward to Reed's bridge, across
which the enemy had moved and taken position in the woods beyond.
Before reaching the bridge, Reed's, the seventeenth Tennessee was
detached and sent by General Forrest to the left to attack a force. of
the Federals at their principal encampment. Before gaining this posi-
tion, however, the enemy fled. The skirmishers of the twenty- third
Tennessee, whilst approaching Reed's bridge, became engaged, and the
twenty-third Tennessee regiment voluntarily pushed forward with a
yell and drove the enemy from the bridge before it could be destroyed.
Here the twenty-third Tennessee had five men wounded, one of whom,
private A. Melton, color-bearer, when obliged to give up his colors,
called upon his successor to carry them forward " ahead of every
thing else." Skirmishers were immediately sent over the bridge
and deployed, followed by the forty-fourth, twenty-fifth and twenty-
third Tennessee regiments, which filed to the right some three or four
hundred yards, through a corn-field. The enemy now opened a bat-
tery upon the bridge, one of its shells wounding Lieutenant Hastings,
of the seventeenth Tennessee, which regiment was returning to rejoin
the brigade and crossed over the bridge under the enemy's fire of
artillery. A section of first Missouri, Bledsoe's, battery, of the
reserve artillery, opened fire and drove the enemy's battery from its
position.

The brigade moved forward in line of battle, changing direction to
the right, and moved in line to Alexander's bridge, where we were
halted and remained for the brigade on our left (Gregg's) to come up.

Gregg's brigade moved forward, followed by Johnson's, which, after
marching some six hundred yards, the forty-fourth Tennessee was
detached to guard our wagon train. Having marched some two and a
half miles by the flank, Gregg's brigade became engaged with the
enemy. We changed front forward on left company, left battalion,
and moved up on line with other troops on our left, and rested on our

199

arms during the night, one-third of the men being required to be
awake, and skirmishers deployed in our frout.

Saturday, September 1 9th. Early this morning a detail of intelli-
gent men was made, five from each regiment, to reconnoitre the
enemy's line. They reported to me, about ten, A. M., the enemy one
and a quarter miles distant and in our front. The forty-fourth Ten-
nessee took its position on the right of the brigade, and the line of the
brigade conformed to that of Gregg's, on our left, and Robinson's, on
our right, which encompassed the top of a low ridge. The firing
commenced on our right about eight, A. M., and continued along the
line uutil Cheatham became engaged.

About one, P. M., the skirmit-hers of the seventeenth Tennessee, as
well as those of Gregg's brigide, were driven in. A general engage-
ment was now commenced on our left, the left companies of the. seven-
teenth Tennessee participating by firing obliquely to the left. At
this time Everett's battery was placed behind the extreme left of the
seventeenth Tennessee, the fire of which drove the enemy back at this
point.

Shortly after, the command to move forward was given, the left
regiment to touch to the right until wc reached tj*e road, when the
right would move s!owly, that the left may come up to the road, thus
to change direction slightly to the right. But this order was not
fr.lly carried out. We did not advance exceeding seven hundred
yards, when the enemy opened fire upon us, and we became hotly
engaged. The enemy had planted a battery, which struck about the
centre of the forty-fourth Tennessee regiment, and which opened
upon our advancing Hues, throwing, in rapid succession, grape and
canister, and supported by infantry, whose fire of small arras was
heavy, well directed and disastrous. The entire brigade now became
hotly engaged, (during this engagement Major Lowe, of the twenty-
fifth Tennessee, was wounded,) which lasted nearly an hour, the
enemy making a stubborn resistance, gradually retiring, he having
advantage of both undergrowth and ground, but finally was driven
across the Chattanooga and Lafayette road. The seventeenth Ten-
nessee regiment, on approaching the road, was halted and opened fire
on the enemy in its front, distant about two hundred yards, in a wood-
land ; the undergrowth having been cut out, the enemy were in full
view. The forty-fourth Tennessee was still engaging the enemy.
The twenty-fifth and a portion of the twenty-third Tennessee regi-
ment crossed the road, the other portion of the twenty-third being
with the seventeenth Tennessee, and gained the cover of the woods, and
moved to the flank of the enemy's battery, still firing upon the right
of our line, at right angles with my present line, gaining a fence,
urj'ler which they opened fire, delivering several volleys^eascd firing,
re-loaded and charged the battery, driving the enemy'dj^inners I
their guns and killing several horses. The caissons were moved off
by the enemy, leaving their pieces on the field. The seventeenth Ten-
nessee and the other portion of the twenty-third Tennessee had
crossed the road, having driven the enemy. The seventeenth Ten-
nessee here lost one officer killed, two officers and about twenty men

200

wounded. In this engagement the forty -.fourth Tennessee buffered
heavily, sustaining a loss in killed and wounded. A portion of Kob-
inson's extreme left (Texans) and part of the forty-fourth Tennessee
had been driven hack, hut about two-thirds of the forty-fourth Ten-
nessee crossed the road. Hero Lieutenant Colonel McEwen, Jr., five
company officers, (Captain Jackson one of the number,) and fifty men
were wounded and six men killed; among the latter. Sergeant T. A.
Johnson, color-bearer, one of the bravest of the brave. Lieutenant
Colonel McEwen, Jr., however, lemained with his command, after he
was wounded, until obliged to retire from exhaustion. Lieutenant
Colonel Tillman, of the forty-first Tennessee, Gregg's brigade, rode
up to me at this time, stating that the enemy was moving down the
road to my left, and would soon be in my rear ; doubting the report,
I suggested that our lines were connected on our left and that a flank
pr iear movement could not therefore be made by the enemy. I,
however, found that but two regiments of Gregg's brigade had moved
up with my line, and they had retired. Lieutenant Colonel Tillman
had thus lost sight cf his regiment, and, in company with him and
jLieutenant Colonel Floyd, I started to the road to satisfy myself as to
the correctness of this report ; I had gone hut a short distance when I
discovered a column of the enemy moving by the flank in direction of
jventccnth Tennessee regiment, which rapidly gained its rear.
1 heard distinctly the commander's halt, front, and immediately their
*fire was pouring upon our flank and rear. Here a general stampede
ensued, so sudden and unexpected was the movement. We fell back
two hundred yards in rear cf the Chattanooga and Lafayette road ana
reformed. In this flank movement of the enemy the seventeenth Ten-
nessee regiment lost eleven officers, including their gallant Major
Davis, who was wounded, and about sixty men taken prisoners.* The
brigade built temporary breastworks, behind which it remained during
the night, in line of battle. Our skirmishers, under Major McCarver,
were directed to occupy the Chattanooga and Lafayette road, hut this
could not he done, the lines en my right and left not conforming
thereto; I, however, instructed them to be posted -within fifty yards
of the road.

Sunday, 20th September. This morning my line connected on the
right with McNair's, (Gregg being in the next line, in our rear,) and
General Hindman on the left. Everett's battery took position between
my left and the right of Law's. Shortly after nine, A. M., the fckir-
mishers, under direction of Lieutenant Colonel Ready, fell back to
the breastworks, bringing thoso of the enemy after them. A well
directed fire from the forty-fourth Tennessee drove the enemy's skir-
mishers back, leaving many of his dead in our front. Sly skirmishers
were scut forward and very soon the}' became again engaged, the
e!;cray u-.in|Bkis artillery. About ten, A. M., a general advance was
ordered. The left of the brigade had advanced but a short distance
before it became engaged with the enemy, the battle having commenced
some three hours earlier on the right. The seventeenth Tennessee
recrossed the Chattanooga and Lafayette road, when it engaged the
enemy. The whole line crossing the fence, tho engagement became

201

general. Here we passed a house and garden, and through an open
field, (it was here th^t Lieutenant Colonel Ready, of twenty-third
Tennessee, was wounded, while rushing forward.) On entering the
house, cribs, kc, many prisoners, both officers anl men, were cap-
tured, and here some fine swords were taken f>om the enemy. Among
the prisoners was the colonel of the one hundredth Illinois regiment.
The enemy's breastworks, which hid been built at intervals along his
line, offered but a poor assistance to the enemy to resist our advance,
which wa3 not only vigorous and spirited, bat irresistible; we found
he had a second line of breastworks about eighty yards iturear of the
first, made of logs and rocks, behind which they scarcely halted.
Having driven the enemy from his first position, we halted and
reformed our line in front of a dense, low pine thicket. Pressing
forward, Ave earned this position, the dead of the enemy showing how
good a protection he had calculated on. We passed through a stubble

t-field to a ravine, until we reached the edge of a long open held,
the upper side of which being a bald hill, or high ridge, upon which
the enemy had a heavy battery of ninegnns, firing upon the advanc-
ing line on our right. Without delay tho. field was entered and

jed across, and the ridge, or bald hill, was gained, the troops on
our right hiving flanked and silenced the enemy's battery, which was

rod. Everett's battery was immediately brought up, together
■ r>eued upon the enemy's retreating wi

, moving on the Chatf raoogi and Crawfish Spring road. I sent

ard skirmishers to reconnoitre the hollow beneath, where

[ the enemy's tcdegraph running up the Chattanooga and Craw-
fish Spring road, several hundred yards to cur right. This telegraph
was cut down, and several prisoners captured; among the prisoners
a staff officer of Major General Vancleve, and one of General Rosen-
cranz's escort, with their horses and equipments. ct of our

:ies was fine, tho enemy rapidly retreating. A mounted officer
was despatched to the troops on our left, who had not kept pace with

rith a flag, to show and direct them to our position ; they had
already opened one of their batteries upon our position, having taken
. '7; their battery was playing on us from the second hill
on our left. Having received orders to move to the hollow beneath,
we here changed direction to the right, which threw the line almost
perpendicular #to the former ; this done, I marched forward, en-

ig a corn-field Here we began to see the fruits of our'rapid and
continuous movements. Three twelve-pounder brass field pieces and
three caissons were here captured, and nine four-horse wagons, one of
which, with four mules attached, was immediately sent to the rear;
three of these wagons were laden with ordnance, the others with com-
missary and quartermasters' stores. Some of the wagons were eap-
sised, so utter was their confusion. I immediately found fhat my left
fl ink was exposed, and sent forward a heavy line of skirmishers to
cover both my left flank and front, and advanced the brigade to the
hillside and there halted. J also sent forward a party to reconnoitre
the front in advance of the line of skirmishers, who, after an absence
of an hour, reported the enemy about one and a half miles distant

202

and advancing. In the meantime, I Lad learned of the enemy hav-
ing skirmishers, or that occasional shots were fifed from the hill on my
left, running almost at right angles with the one on which 1 was
resting. I sent irutnedately a company of skirmishers to reconnoitre
the hill — a few prisoners were brought in. In the corner of the held
below my present position was Villette's house, where the enemy hid
practised many outrages ; the ladies were found lying under the floor
of the house, an 1, when they saw the enemy retreating and our line
advancing, they broke from their concealment, shouting and clapping
their hamls<ibr joy. A delay of an hour occurred whilst waiting the
movement of some troops to our left, under orders from General B.
R. Johnson. During this time, however, a portion of Dent's and Ever-
ett's batteries were placed in position in front of the brigade, and
we replenished our cartridge-boxes from the enemy's three wagons,
laden with ordnance, which had been captured here.

Between one and two o'clock, P. M., I advanced to the top of the
hill, when we were again upon the enemy, who opened a heavy fire
upon us. Our batteries and small arms here were engaging the enemy
some fifteen minutes, when our line fell back some fifteen paces under
cover of the hill, Gregg's command, on my right, giving back at the
same time; this, no doubt, having started the backward movement.
Just at this time the two brigades (Day's and one other) were march-
ing in line of battle by the Villette house to connect with our lines
on tho left, they changing direction to the right for this purpose. A
general advance was ordered, and our batteries opened simultaneously.
The firing was heavy, and the enemy's massive columns were -hui led
against our wearied heroes. Again our line fell back. Two brigades
now came up in our rear ; one of these brigades moved in advance of
us, and, receiving the enemy's fire, fell back behind us again. My
line was again ordered forward, the enemy being within fifty yards of
the batteries and but one piece firing. Here commenced a most des-
perate struggle for the possession of this ground — Missionary ridge.
The battle raged furiously, and the tide of success wavered in the
balances ; charge after charge was repulsed, only to rally and charge
again. Again our line fell back, and the untiring, indomitable ami
determined officers rallied again their fast thinning ranks, and again
moved forward. Here officers and men behaved most gallantly;
appeals to love of home and wounded comrades, and the peril of the
moment were made, and never did men rush forward more eager, dar-
ing, desperate and defiantly. The enemy's treble lines now began to
show that our fire was terribly effective upon them. Our cartri
boxes had been replenished as required, and still wo were nearly out.
Again more ammunition was supplied, and the conflict continued hot
and heavy. The enemy was now slowly giving back, hard preesed by
our now shattered remnants. An >ther charge, with the yells of the
men and cheers of the officers, and forward we pressed, only to dis-
cover the victory wa3 ours and the enemy in full retreat. This series
of engagements lasted four long hours, during which Johnson's bri-
gade won many laurels and an imperishable name. At this mornvnt,
anothor brigade came up, and was loudly cheered forward, but the

203

enemy made no resistance. Our ammunition being (with but few
exceptions) exhausted, the brigade halted and reformed, moved for-
ward, about-faced, marched back some distance and formed on Man-
igault's line. Here we sent forward pickets to cover our front, and
several prisoners were brought in. The men rested on their arras
during the night, having on this day won a victory — one of the most
glorious of the war. In this engagement, Everett's battery fired very
effectively, being in the thickest of the fight. This evening he had
one sergeant and two men .wounded, and five horses shot down by the
enemy during the engagement. This morning, whilst firing on the
enemy's wagon train, he dismounted one piece of the enemy's artil-
lery, lie fired four hundred and twenty-eight rounds during the
four days' fight. I commend the officers of this battery to favorable
consideration for their fidelity and good conduct whilst under fire.

I have also to notice the services of Lieutenant Dent, commanding
Robinson's battery, whose fire upon the enemy was incessant and
effective. Both officers and men behaved most coolly and gallantly
during the day.

I have great pleasure in attesting to the gallant and efficient con-
duct of the following officers :

Lieutenant Colonel McEwen, Jr., commanding forty-fourth Ten-
nessee regiment, funded.

Lieutenant Colonel Snowdcn, commanding twenty-fifth Tennessee
regiment.

Colonel Keeble, commanding twenty-third Tennessee regiment.

Lieutenant Colonel Ready,, of twenty-third Tennessee regiment,
wounded.

Major Lcwe, Tennessee regiment, wounded.

•Lieutenant Colonel Floyd, commanding seventeenth Tennessee
regiment.

Major Davis, of seventeenth Tennessee regiment, wounded and
captured.

Adjutants Cross, Gwynn ond Fitzpatrick, and Lieutenant Gregg
who came into the action on Sunday morning. Also, Captain Terry,
'who after he was wounded on Saturday evening, rendered me valuable
service on Sunday. Mention may also be made of the following : Pri-
vate (ex-captain) Ridley, of twenty-third Tennessee, who went into the
action and fought manfully with a gun, setting a good example to all.
Lieutenant Vernon, of company B, twenty-third Tennessee, for the
manner in which he bore himself.

On entering the action this command numbered as follows, viz :

Commands.
Forty-fourth Tennesse,
Twenty-fifth Tennessee,
Twenty-third Tennessee,
Seventeenth Tennessee,
Battery,

The number of the different regiments of this command was thus

Officers.

Men.

Aggregate.

266

294

12(1

145

153

181

249

—

85—054

204

small, the barefooted men Laving been sent to the rear by order from
the division commander, as follows :

Forty-fourth Tennessee, fifty-six men ; twenty-fifth Tennessee,
twenty-three men ; twenty-third Tennessee, twenty-six men ; seven-
teenth Tennessee, one hundred and twenty men and two officers.
Aggregate, two hundred andtwenty-seven.

My loss was as follows :

Command. Killed. Wounded. Captured and Missing.

Forty-fourth Tennessee, 1U 88 . 15

Seventeenth " . . 61 C9

Twenty-third " 8 77 13

Twenty-fifth " 10 45 1

Battery, . . 3

Tctal, 2S 274 9S

Aggregate, 400.

I have much pleasure in stating that there was no straggling, either
by oScers or men. I have also great satisfaction in noticing the med-
ical appointments of this brigade, for promptness and efficiency. The
care and treatment of ths wounded by Dr. Jackson, of forty-fourth
Tennessee, acting brigade surgeon ; Dr. Plumtner, of twenty-third
Tennessee Dr. Harris and Dr. Jones, of seventeenth •T'jimessef ;
and Drs. Fryar and Jackson, of twenty-fifth Tennessee. Also, I
return my thanks to Dr. John Gannaway, who volunteered his ser-
vices and rendered himself useful in a high, degree. I think 1
may say that the wounded of this brigade received attention second
to no other brigade in the army commanded by General Bragg.

I have to report the following captare of ordnance and ordnance
stores: Three hundred Enfield rifles, (in train;) two thousand two
hundred Enfield rifles, different calibres, stacked on the field ; total,
two thousand five hundred. Sixty-nine thousand Enfield cartridges.
Calibre five hundred and seventy-seven, (in train ;) thirty-five thou-
sand Enfield cartridges issued from enemy's wagons ; fifty thousand
piled with small arms ; total, one huudred and fifty-rfour thousand.

Of the wagons captured this day, nine (four-horse) were secured
by this brigade; one, with team, for ordnance train. Also, three wagon
loads of accoutrements.

Lieutenant Lake, in charge of the division ordnance train, has
made the foregoing report to me. The pro rata of this capture is due
to Johnson's brigade, viz : One hundred Enfield rifles, seven hundred
and thirty-three guns different calibre, stacked on field; total, eight
hundred and thirty-three. Twenty-three thousand Enfield cartridges;
eleven thousand six hundred and sixty-six issued from enemy's wag-
ons; sixteen thousand six hundred and sixty-seven piled with small
arms; total, fifty-one thousand three hundred and thirty-three. One
wagon load of accoutrements I have also to enumerate. Three brass
twelve-pounder cannon; three caissons for cannon, captured on the
field on Sunday evening by this brigade as mentioned in this report,
one of which wa3 hauled to the rear by Lieutenant Everett, command-

205

ing my battery, "attached." I would also state that one of the above
guns was manned by men (artillerists) from the seventeenth and
twenty-third Tennessee regiments, and used, under direction of Lieu-
tenant Dent, with good effect on the enemy during the four hours'
contest on Sunday evening. I have also to mention Ordnance Ser-
geant J. F. Baxter, wounded on the field. This man is an untirirg
officer and faithful to his trust.

The provost guard, under Lieutenants Ewing and* Orr, rendered
invaluable service. I am pleased to notice the conduct of private
Turner Goodall, of the provost guard, who, in the thickest of the
fight on Sunday evening, seeing the men all so gallantly at work and
hard pressed, came up with his gun and fought manfully through the
hottest of the fight and, by words of encouragement to his fellow soldiers
and example, did his whole djity as a soldier and provost guard.

The capture of prisoners by this brigade in the two days' fight
exceeds six hundred men and officers sent to the rear. I would also
mention Lieutenant Ewing, of the provost guard, from the seven-
teenth Tennessee regiment, who, finding that the officers of his com-
pany had all been placed liors dc combat, asked permission and returned
to take command of his company on Sunday morning. He is a wor-
thy and promising officer.

I have to report tjae following articles captured from the enemy,
and secured by Dr. John W. Templeton for the use of the brigade :
One two-horse spring ambulance, seventy dozen bandages, two pounds
opium, and other medicines, one dozen setts splints. Dr. Templeton
is the hospital steward of the forty-fourth Tennessee regiment.
Respectfully submitted,

JOHN S. FULTON,
Colonel commanding Johnson's brigade.

REPORT OF COLONEL D. C. GOVAN, COMMANDING

BRIGADE.

Headquarters Liddell' s Bkikade, )
Missionary Ridge, October 6, 1863. J

Captain G. A. Williams,

Assistant Adjutant General :

Captain : I have the honor to submit the following report of the
part taken by this brigade in the recent battle of Chiekamauga, on
the 19th and 20th of September, 1868:

On the ISth of September, about two o'clock, P. M., I, with Gen-
eral Walthall's brigade, forming a rescive division, commanded by-
General Liddell, in Walker's corps, arrived in front of Alexander's
bridge, on West Chiekamauga creek. I was ordered to move
forward, supporting General Walthall's brigade in an attack to gain
possession of the bridge, then held by the enemy. Walthall's brigade,
moving forward, soon engaged the enemy, who occupied a dense thicket
on the south-side of the creek, near the bridge. After firing several
volleys he hastily retreated, leaving us in possession of the bridge,
Which was, however, rendered useless, the planks having been removed.
The brigade was not actively engaged, excepting the skirmishers, who
were thrown forward on General Walthall's left to the creek, sustain-
ing a loss of one killed and five wounded. Moving down the creek one
and a half miles, I crossed at Byron's ford, and' bivouacked about one
mile from the ford.

Early on the morning of the 19th, I moved in a southwesterly din- -
tion, and halted in a position nearly opposite Alexander's bn
While here, awaiting orders, it was ascertained that a heavy column of
the enemy was moving around to turn our right flank. Wilson's an i
Ector's brigades were already engaged, and were being heavily
pressed. About twelve o'clock, M., I was ordered to move forward to
their support. Walthall's brigade, being on my right, formed line of
battle facing northward. Moving forward about one-quarter o'f t
mile, I engaged the enemy, and succeeded by a charge in driving him
from his position,' capturing his artillery and three or four hundred
prisoners. Pursuing this advantage, I encpuntjred his seeped line,
which was also routed after a hotly contested fight, again leaving his
artillery in our possession. I had previously been cautioned by Gen-
eral Liddell to look well to my left flank, as a force of the enemy were
reported advancing in that direction. I accordingly instructed Colo-
nel Gillespie, commanding the left regiment of the brigade, to protect
his left by throwing skirmishers well on his flank, and, in case of being
attacked from that direction, to change his front so as to meet the
attack. About the time, or just previous to engaging the third line,
:i heavy column of the enemy moved on my left Hank. The left regi-
ment, according to my instructions, changed front so as to meet it,
while the other regiments of the brigade engaged him in front. This

207

overwhelming force, v.hich attacked my left flank and had gained rny
rear, forced me to retire, which movement I executed by the flank, in
order to prevent the capture of a portion of the brigade, and reformed
my line in rear of General Cheatham's division, then moving into
position. It was afterwards ascertained that we had engaged the
whole of General Thomas' (Federal) corps. The two lines which I
had driven back in confusion were composed in part of the fifth, four-
teenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and twenty-first regiments regular United
States army. Four hundred men and some officers belonging to
regiments were captured and safely sent to the rear, together with
threo Parrott guns, composing a part of Loomis' battery, designated
as company II, fifth artillery, United States array, which were sent to
the rear under charge of three men belonging to the fir.-t Louisiana
regiment, and delivered to Major Palmer, chief of arti-Ilcry, Walker's
corps. One piece, a James rifle gun, captured bv the second and fif-
teenth Arkansas regiments, was carried 10 the rear by hand bv men
belonging to that regiment, and delivered to Lieutenant Shannon,
commanding Swett's battery. The other pi in which the enemy

had been driven (the bora id to them I hei killed or

disabled) we were compelled to leave behind T;ii3

engagement lasted nearly two hours

In the fight many gallant officers and privates were killed and
wounded. Among the first was Colcmel L. Featl commanding

fifth and thirteenth Arkau s, who f illy wounded,

while gallantly leading hi it, and Liei lonel Iji.ucum,

commanding eighth Arl first Louisiana regiment, severely

wounded, while carrying the colors at the head o ginrent Late

in the evening I was ordered to theextremi right, on the prolong
of the line occupied by General Cheathra, facing westward, with Wal-
thall's brigade on my left. Moving forward i ascertained that there
was no considerable force of the enemy in my front, the firing indi-
cating him to be in the immediate front of General Walthall in force.
My left regiment, the id seventh Arkansas, g;tve way, and

moved about two hundred yards to the rear, being, as they informed
me, enfiladed and fired into. While in this position," one of our own
batteries in rear tired over my lines and slightly wounded several of
my men. The fire from the battery continuing, I moved a short dis-
tance to the rear, and by the left flank, and formed ou Walthall's right,
in which position we remained during the night. I was informed by
several officers that there was a battery immediately in front of the
last position occupied, which the enemy had abandoned, and which I
might have had conveyed to the rear if I had ascertained the fact
sooner.

On the morning of the 20th, about nine o'clock, I was ordered to
take -a position on the extreme right, supporting Major General Breck-
inridge's division. About noon 1 was ordered to advance, making a
slight change of direction to the left. While executing this move-
ment, I was ordered by one of Lieutenant General Polk's staff officers
to the assistance of Gist's brigade, which was heavily pressed by the
enemy. The officer could only give me general direction as to where

208

General Gist's brigade -was engaged. Encountering no enemy in my
front, I commenced changing direction to the left, so as to meet the
enemy, who had opened fire upon me from the edge of the woods
immediately on my left fiank. - This movement, difficult at all ti
was executed across an open field, in an exposed position and under a
heavy fire of musketry. The brigade pressed gallantly forward, and
succeeded in driving the enemy from his position in the woods.
Continuing this circular movement to the left', the left regiment
pressed up to an angle of the enemy's fortifications, while the right
continued to press the enemy across an open field, until I had reached
a position forming an acute angle with our original direction and
almost immediately in rear of a lino of the enemy's strongest breast-
works.

Gist's brigade, which I had not succeeded in finding, had fallen
back about the time I had engaged the enemy. I was thus completely
isolated from our line. I would here state that Walthall's brigade
had previously been sent to another part of the field.

The enemy, being massed in heavy force behind his breastworks
and perceiving the interval between my left and the right of our lines,
made a vigorous attack upon my left and succeeded, by enfilading and
overlapping it, in breaking it, and thus, while the right was driving
the enemy, it was in danger of being captured. This was only
obviated by the greatest efforts on the part of the regimental com-
manders, who, after they had succeeded in halting their commands,
moved by the right flank and, by a circuitous route, succeeded in
rejoining the command. I immediately reformed the line, and was
placed in position in the front line, on the left of General Walthall's,
brigade.

About five o'clock, P. M., orders were received to advance. There
was a considerable interval between me and Jackson's brigade, next
on my left, which fact was represented to General Liddell, and by him
communicated to General Walker. The movement commenced, 1, in
obedience , to orders, conforming my movements to those of General
Walthall's brigade, next on my right. I passed on, moving square
to the front, two of the regiments passing through an open field,
through which I had executed the change of direction to the left in
the engagements last mentioned. The skirmishers in my front
developed no enemy.

Just before reaching the Chattanooga and Lafayette road, Captain
Stringfellow, first Louisiana, in command of, the skirmishers, reported
to me that he saw two of the enemy's batteries in position, about two
hundred and fifty yards from my left flank, on either side of the
above mentioned road, supported by a long line of infantry. Jack-
eon's brigade, which was some distance to my left and rear, having
engaged the enemy in his front, had halted, th'us leaving my left
entirely unprotected. Upon examination I found the report of Cap-
tain Stringfellow to bo correct, discovering the enemy to be in
position as he represented. It was impossible, from the disposition
of the enemy's force, for me to extricate myself by changing my
front. Reaching a position just across the road, and on a line with

209

General Walthall's left, I ordered the men to lie down. The enemy
immediately opened fire from the two batteries on my left, and also
■with small arms; while two batteries, afterwards ascertained to be on
General Walthall's right, opened almost at the samfc time. Under
this heavy and galling fire, no other alternative was left but to with-
draw the brigade as speedily as possible, to save it from annihilation
or capture. The brigade retreated in considerable confusion, but
was promptly rallied, and reformed some three or four hundred yards
in rear.

Shortly afterwards. I again advanced to a position near the house of
McDonald, on the Chittanooga and Lafayette road, and some distance
to the right of the position from which 1 had just been driven. Just
about this time the enemy's line gave way in every quarter, and the
battle was ended.

The loss in officers and privates was very heavy, being over fifty
per cent, of the number carried into the fight, a report of which is
herewith forwarded.

For instances of individual bravery and skill among company offi-
cers and privates, I refer you to reports of regimental commanders.
Among the field officers. Lieutenant Colonels John L. Murray and R.
F. Harvey, the former commanding the fifth and thirteenth Arkansas
regiments, the latter the second and fifteenth Arkansas regiments,
were particularly distinguished for their gallantry during the engage-
ments; and by their coolness and skill, on two occasions, saved their
regiments from capture. 1 strongly recommend the first (Lieutenant
Colonel Murray) to the favorable consideration of the President as
one particularly distinguished for his skill, and gallantry in the battle
of Chickamauga. To Lieutenant Colonel Harvey, then commanding
the second and fifteenth regiments, an equal meed of praise is due,
but, unfortunately for the service, this gallant officer died on the 30th
instant of disease contracted by over-exertions on the field, lamented
by all who knew him.

To Captain Fletcher, company A, thirteenth Arkansas regiment, I
am indebted for saving one piece of Swett's battery, which had
several horses disabled and, but for his timely efforts, would have
fallen into the enemy's hands. He seized the colors of the second
and fifteenth Arkansas regiments and rallied enough men to drive
back the enemy, whose skirmishers were within a short distance of
the gun.

Lieutenant Shannon, commanding Swett's battery, handled it with
distinguished skill and gallantry, and most effectively, whenever an
opportunity offered.

The members of my staff, Lieutenant J. G. Warfield, assistant
adjutant and inspector general, Lieutenant W. L. Laurie, assistant
adjutant general, and Lieutenant G. T. Snowden, aid-de-camp, ren-
dered me efficient aid and were always at my command.

In conclusion, as an act of justice to the brigade which I had the

honor to command, and with which 1 have been associated in all the

hard contested battles in the west, from Shiloh to this last memorable

one, I beg leave to state that they never failed to drive the enemy in

210

their front, and advanced each time -with a single line, unsupported,
and with one or the other of my flanks unprotected, and that on no
former occasion was their courage and endurance more severely
tested', nor in any previous battle did they ever exhibit more deter-
mined bravery and gallantry.

I am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D. C. GOYAN,
Colonel rom7nar,din° Brigade.

RErORT OF COLONEL R. Q. MILLS, COMMANDING

BRIGADE.

Headquarters Deshler's Brigade, )
Missionary Ridge, Oct. 6, 18G3. \

Captaifl J. A. Buck,

A. A. General Cleburne's Division :

Captain : In compliance with orders from general headquarters, I
herewith submit my report of the action of thid brigade in the battle
of the 19th and 2Hth ultimo:

This brigade, composed of Colonel Wilkes' Texas regiment, Colonel
Mills' Texas regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Hutchinson's Arkansas
regiment, and Captain Douglas' Texas battery, under command of
Brigadier General James Deshler, moved about three o'clock, P. M.,
on Saturday, the 10th ultimo, from a point near the junction of tie
Lafayette and McLemore's valley roads, towards our extreme right,
and in rear and parallel with our line of battle. About half-past four
o'clock, F. M., we crossed a branch of jthe Chickamauga and moved
directly and hastily forward to the extreme right, where the battle
seemed raging with great fierceness. After passing, for sometime,,
through swarms of stragglers, prisoners and wounded, we arrived on
the line, and were formed, facing our right flank, and moved forward
to the attack, and proceeded some two hundred yards, when the brigade
was halted and ordered to lie down. In a few minutes we rose up and
advanced to the front, and occupied some time in getting our position.

It was now getting dark, but the firing was still heavy and constant
between the enemy and some brigade opposite our extreme right and
perpendicular to our line. We were not more than a hundred yards
from his right flank, where he had a battery of artillery firing at the
troops on our right. We remained here some minutes. Brigadier
General Deshler did not know but that the battery was our own, and
declined to advance on it in the dark ; it being then impossible to dis-
tinguish friend from foe. The contest in front of our right was soon,
decided in favor of the Confederates. The enemy was beaten back, .
and there was a temporary lull on the field. The skirmishers from
Colonel Wilkes' regiment, in moving forward in the dark, came sud-
denly and unexpectedly on the enemy's line and were captured. He,.
in attempting to retreat from the brigade in his front, as unexpectedly
came upon Colonel Wilkes' regiment on his flank, where he was greeted
with a volley that killed and wounded several and caused them to
propose a surrender, when about one hundred prisoners, including
several officers, were taken, together with two stand of colors from
the seventy-seventh Illinois and the seventy-ninth Pennsylvania, by
Colonel Wilkes' regiment, s^ainst which the main force came. Some
dosen or more were ta)/!cn, eacij, by Lieutenant Colonel Anderson and
Lieutenant Colonel Hutfchinson. In this affair Colonel Wilkes alio
recaptured his skirmishers. This, with the exception of occasional

• 212

firing by our skirmishers, terminated the fighting for the night. We
moved back several hundred yards and formed line of battle, and laid
down to rest till morning. In the night our line was again reformed,
throwing forward our left wing.

About half-past nine o'clock, on the morning of the 20th, we moved
off a short distance by the left flank, and then advanced to the front,
passing through a portion of Major General Cheatham's division.
Having gained an open ground several hundred yards in our front,
the enemy began, from one or two long-range guns, to shell our line,
and, as we approached nearer, gave us several shots of canister, killing
and wounding some fifteen or twenty men. We finally arrived, about
ten o'clock, A. M., on the ground we were ordered to occupy. We
found it being hastily abandoned by the troops who were occupying
it before we came. We advanced to the crest of the hill, some two
hundred yards in front" of the enemy's barricades and breastworks,
when he opened a destructive fire upon us. We were ordered to lie
down and commence firing. We now began the engagement in
earnest, but at great disadvantage. The enemy was behind his
defences, and we without cover; he had two batteries of artillery, we
had none, our own battery not being able to get a position to give us
aid. Captain Semple's splendid battery was on the hill with us, and
on the extreme left of the brigade, when we moved up and occupied
the hill. It fired a few shots, and was moved to some other portion
of the field. The enemy poured on our heads, from ten o'clock, A.
M., to half-past one or two o'clock, P. M., a constant and terrible fire
of artillery and musketry, which we returned with our rifles, with the
same constancy and stubbornness.

About twelve o'clock, M., our supply of ammunition began to give
out, and I sent a courier to Brigadier General Deshler to inform him
of the fact and to ask where we could get more. A few minutes after
I saw him coming towards my right, some forty paces from me, when
he was struck by a shell in the chest and his heart literally torn from
his bosom. I may pause here to pay a passing tribute to the memory
of our fallen chief. He was brave, generous and kind, even to a fault.
Ever watchful and careful for the safety of any member of his com-
mand, he Mas ever ready to peril his own. Refusing to permit a staff
officer to endanger his life in going to examine the cartridge boxes to
see what amount of ammuniton his men had, he cheerfully started
himself to brave the tempest of death that raged on the crest of the
hill. He had gone but little way when he fell — fell as he would wish
to fall — in the very centre of his brigade, in the midst of the line,
between the ranks, and surrounded by the bodies of his fallen com-
rades. He poured out his blood upon the spot watered by the best
blood of his brigade. Among the host of brave hearts that were
offered on the altar of sacrifice for their country on that beautiful
Sabbath, there perished not one nobler, braver or better than his. He
lived beloved, and fell lamented and mourned by every officer and
man of his command. He sleeps on the spot where he fell ; on the
field of his country's victory and glory, surrounded by the bodies of
those who stood around him in life, and lie around him in death. A

£13

messenger from Colonol Wilkes' regiment informed me of the fact soon
after General Deshler fell, also that Colonel Wilkes was wounded and
not with the regiment.

Just at this critical juncture our ammunition was exhausted, and
no one knew where to get more. I assumed command, and, suppos-
ing that the enemy would advance as soon as the firing ceased, I
ordered bayonets fixed and the cartridge-boxes of the wounded and
dead to be gathered, and one round from tfeem to be given to each
man to load his gun with, and hold his fire in reserve to repel an
assault. While this order was being executed, Lieutenant Colonel
Anderson, who was on the left of my regiment, sent Lieutenant Gra-
ham to inform me that the four left companies had not been firing.
Being at too great a distance from the enemy, he had the good sense
to prevent them from wasting their ammunition unnecessarily. I
immediately ordered those four companies to the front on the hill,
where the fire was hottest, and ordered Lieutenant Colonel Ander-
son to take command of them and hold the hill at every hazard, till
I could get ammunition and have it distributed. I soon procured the
•mraunition, and refilled my cartridge-boxes. At this time, one of
the Major General's staff came to me and informed me that I was
ordered to hold the hill on which the brigade was formed ; that I was
not permitted to advance, and must not retire if it were possible to
hold my position. I therefore moved my command at once some
twenty or thirty paces to the rear of the crest, and on the side of the
hill, for cover, leaving a body of sharpshooters behind trees on the
top of the hill to keep up a fire with the enemy. The enemy's fire
soon slackened down to a contest between the skirmishers. At the
same time, he advanced a line of skirmishers toward the ope* space
between my command and Brigadier General Polk, on my right. I
soon received information from Lieutenant Colonel Coit, then com-
manding Wilkes' regiment, that the enemy was moving around my
right flank in force. I ordered him to throw out a company of flank-
ers and engage them. In less than twenty minutes I was informed
that our skirmishers were retiring before the enemy. 'I immedi-
ately ordered Lieutenant Colonel Hutchinson to reinforce the skir-
mishers with one company from his regiment, which was promptly
done. Still hearing of this flank movement, I ordered Captain Ken-
ard, of Lieutenant Col. Anderson's regiment, to reinforce the other
two companies with his, take command himself of these companies,
put his men under good cover, and hold the enemy in check at all
hazards. He very promptly moved with his company to the ground,
assumed command of the three companies, repulsed the enemy's skir-
mishers, and held his position without a serious struggle. A strag-
gling fire was kept up between the enemv and my sharpshooters till:
late in the evening, when the advance of our left wing caused him to
abandon his works and take to his heels. The troops of my command,
both officers and men, behaved with the greatest bravery, coolness
and self-possession, during the whole engagement. They advanced
with a steady step, under heavy fire of shell, canister and musketry,
to their position, and held it with firmness and unwavering fortitude

•214

throughout the fight. Texans vied with each other to prove
themselves worthy of the fame won hy their brothers on other fields,
and the little handful of Arkansas troops showed themselves worthy
to have their names enrolled among the noblest, bravest and best of
their State. It is scarcely possible for them to exhibit higher evi-
dences of courage, patriotism and pride on any other field. They
were not permitted to advance, and would not retire, but, as brave
men and good soldiers, they obeyed the orders of their general
and held the hill. Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, Lieutenant
Colonel Hutchinson and Major Taylor remained constantly on the
line, handled their commands with ability and conducted themselves
gallantly through the entire action.

I most respectfully refer you to the reports of subordinate commanders
for particular acts of gallantry, lists of casualties, etc. I feel it my
duty, however, to record here the names of Lieutenant Matt. Graham,
of company C, tenth Texas regiment, and Private Willam McCann,
.of company A, fifteenth Texas regiment, as worthy of honorable
mention for their conduct, more than ordinarily gallant, on the field.
Lieutenant Graham several times volunteered, and insisted on bein<*
permitted, to carry orders and messages up and down the line, where
he was constantly exposed to the thickest fire. His services were
highly beneficial to Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, who speaks of him
in terms of highest praise. Private McCann was under my own eye.
He stood upright, cheerful and self-possessed in the very hail of deadly
missiles, and cheered up his comrades around him. After he had
expended all his ammunition, he gathered up the cartridge-boxes of
the dead and wounded, and distributed them to his comrades. He
bore himself like a hero through the entire contest, and fell mortally
wounded by the last volleys of the enemy. I promised him during
the engagement that I would mention his good conduct, and, as he
was borne dying from the field, he turned his boyish face upon me and,
with a lrght and pleasant smile, reminded me of my promise.

The first Texas battery, commanded by Captain James P. Douglas,
belonging to Deshler's brigade, was not engaged on the 19th. On
the 20th it followed the brigade as far as the open field, covered
thickly with felled timber, when, finding it impossible to follow us fur-
ther, Captain Douglas moved towards our left flank and came into
another field, where he v,as exposed to the enemy's fire. He imme-
diately opened fire on Douglas from two of his batteries, killing one
of his horses and knocking down one of his wheels, lie extricated
himself from this position, and, by order of Major General Cleburne,
took position on the hill with the brigades of Brigadier Generals Wood
and Polk, in rear of my line. He afterwards moved down on the
right to where Brigadier General Polk was warmly engaging the
snemy, disengaged his horses and carried his pieces by hand in the
very face of the foe. He fired a few rounds at sixty or eighty yards
listant from the enemy, advancing his pieces by hand with the line of
Brig. General Polk's brigade. The enemy were soon routed and fled
the field. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on Captain Douglas
and the officers and men of his battery, for their gallant conduct.

215

They wero not engaged for any considerable length of time, but the
very short quarters at which Captain Douglas threw down the gaunt-
let soon decided the enemy to yield the field to a battery that could
charge a brigade of infantry behind their rifle-pits. Captains J. L.
Hearne and B. F. Blackburne, and Lieutenant G. B. Jewell, of the
brigade staff, arc entitled to my thanks for promptly reporting to me
wh^n Brigadier General Deshler fell, and for their valuable services
rendered to me during the engagement.

The aggregate strength of the brigade, including the battery, on
the morning of the 19th, was seventeen hundred and eighty-three. I
lost in the fight fifty-two killed and three hundred and sixty-six
wounded.

I have the honor to be, kc,

R. il MILL?.

• Colonel commanding Brigade.

REPORT OF COLONEL J. H. LEWIS, COMMANDING

BRIGADE.

Headquarters Helm's Brigade, )
Before Chattanooga, September 30, 1863. \

Major James Wilson,

Assistant Adjutant General :

Sir: The death of Brigadier General B. IT. Helm makes it my duty,
a3 senior colonel commanding, to report the part taken by this bri-
gade in the actions of the 19th and 20th instants :

On the afternoon of the 18th the brigade took position on the right
bank of West Chickamauga, near Glass' mill, except the second Ken-
tucky regiment deployed on the opposite side as skirmishers.

On the morning of the 19th the command, with Cobb's battery,
crossed the stream. About nine, A. M., a shot from the battery into
a house about five hundred yards off, where the enemj's skirmishers
were concealed, excited an immediate response from the enemy farther
to the right, followed soon after by a spirited artillery duel, in which
Slocomb's battery, which had, in the meantime, crossed over, partici-
pated; resulting in silencing the enemy. Soon, however, another
battery of the enemy opened fire still farther to the right. In a
short time,' orders having been issued from Major General Breckin-
ridge to that effect, the whole command recrossed the stream and
moved to the Chattanooga road. Fourteen men of this brigade ware
killed and wounded on this occasion. From thence we moved
towards Chattanooga, to the position held by and relieving Deas' bri-
gade. About two hours after nightfall we reached a point one and
one-half miles beyond Alexander's bridge, where we bivouacked until
three, A. M., 20th instant, when we were ordered to our position in
line of battle one mile or more beyond and on the left of the division.
We got into position and were ready to advance by about half- past
five, A. M. Soon after getting into position, one company from each
regiment was, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Wicklifie, of the
ninth Kentucky, deployed two hundred and fifty yards in advance as
skirmishers. Becoming hotly engaged with the enemy, the fourth
Kentucky regiment, Colonel Nuckolls commanding, was ordered to
their support. The skirmishers of the eneiny., having the advantage
in position, showed determination and kept up a rapid fire, wound-
ing several officers and men before the advance of the brigade.
Amongst others severely wounded was Colonel Nuckolls, by which
his command was thereafter deprived of the services of this gallant
and meritorious officer.

Between nine and ten, A. M., the brigade advanced in the following
order, viz : the sixth Kentucky, Colonel Lewis, and the second Ken-
tucky, Lieutenant Colonel Hewitt commanding, on the extreme right
and left respectively. The fourth Kentucky, Major Thompson, and
ninth Kentucky, Colonel Caldwell commanding, on the right and left

217

centre respectively, and the forty-first Alabama, Colonel Stansell com-
manding, in the centre.

The enemy's fortifications did not extend the entire length of the
brigade front, but the sixth and fourth and seven companies of the
forty-first, in advancing, passed to the right and clear of them,
consequently fighting the foe on something like equal terms. This
portion of the command, with but a momentary halt and no hesitation,
steadily drove the enemy back to within one hundred yards of the
Chattanooga road, when I discovered a battery of two Napoleon guns
fifty yards beyond the road. Here I also discovered, for the first time,
what the thicker growth of timber had prevented me from observing
before, that the left of the brigade was considerably in rear. Neither
a halt or retreat at this time was, in my judgment, proper or allowa-
ble. So the command was given to take the battery, and it was done.
Soon after crossing the road, Captain McCawley, of General Helm's
staff, informed me that the General had been mortally wounded, near
the position occupied by the left of the brigade.

The right not being then under fire, I left it in command of Lieu-
tenant Colonel Cofer, and started, on Captain McCawley 's horse, to
where the other portion of the brigade was. I encountered consider-
able difficulty in reuniting the brigade, on account of the the distance
apart and the want of staff aid — having no one with me but Captain
Hewitt, and not him immediately, on account of the loss of his horse.
Although not personally cognizant of the behavior of the left of the bri-
gade previous to assuming command, yet I am warranted by information
of an entirely satisfactory kind in speaking of it. Justice to the living,
and affectionate memory of the dead, make it a duty and a pleasure
to allude to their conduct in terms of praise.

After advancing about four hundred yards, they encountered a heavy
musketry and artillery fire in front, and also an enfilading fire from
the left, which the failure of the command to their left to advance
simultaneously with Breckinridge's division enabled the enemy to pour
into their ranks. Besides, I am satisfied they were subjected to a fire
on their right from the two pieces subsequently captured by the right
of the brigade. Yet three several times this devoted little band
charged the enemy, securely fortified and in a favorable position.
Though necessarily repulsed, their frightful loss shows their constancy
and bravery. Here the kind, pure, brave Brigadier General B. H.
Helm was mortally wounded, heroically doing his duty. Lieutenant
Colonel James W. Hewitt, in advance of his regiment, and showing
a devotion and daring entitled to the highest commendation, was killed.
Colonel Caldwell was severely wounded, as usual, in his place, doing
bis duty. Robert C. Anderson, color-sergeant second Kentucky, was
killed upon the enemy's works, after having planted his colors thereon.
Here fell many another officer and soldier, life -images of Kentucky's
old, renowned and valiant soldiers, true men. The blood of her sons
also attest Alabama's chivalry and manhood.

As soon as I ascertained the exact position of the left, I caused it to
be moved by the right flank to the right, and in advance of where it
was then, till the right of the brigade, under command of Lieutenant

21S

Colonel Cofer, was met — he having recrosscd the road — Then I formed
the brigade in line of battle nearly perpendicular to the road and to the
enemy's works. About this time I received orders from Lieutenant;
General Hill, through one of his staff, not to advance, but to await
the arrival of fresh troops. In a short time Gist's brigade attacked
the enemy, passing through my lines for that purpose, but was drawn
back. Ector's brigade then advanced, but being unable to drive tho
enemy from his works, finally fell back, leaving this brigade again to
confront the enemy. My men, though at this time nearly exhausted
by several hours hard fighting, and suffering greatly for want of water,
remained firm, no one leaving his place. After the repulse of the
other two brigades, I was ordered to retire several hundred yards to
the rear to rest the men, which was done in good order and without
confusion.

Late in tho afternoon Walker's division advanced against the
enemy, a portion of it attacking the same point the left of this bri-
gade did in the morning. Being with my command about four hun-
dred yards in rear at that time, and out of sight of the combatauts,
I could not see with what result the attack was made, though a short-
time thereafter Cheatham's division moved to the attack over the same
ground — Bright's brigade, of that division, passing through the lines
of this brigade. After some time had elapsed, and it appearing from
the firing that no appreciable advantage had been gained, this br'gade
was moved forward, bein<? on the left of the division. In advancing,
it was discovered that the centre brigade of the division lapped on
mine, making it necessary for me to oblique to the left about two hun-
dred yards. It was also necessary to advance the left more rapidly
than' the right wing, in order to get on a line more parallel with the
enemy. Both these difficult movements were executed while march-
ing through the woods, without any material derangement of the line,
the command moving steadily and unfalteringly forward.

Upon arriving in sight of the enemy's fortifications, the brigade
rapidly charged upon them, driving them from their stronghold in
confusion towards the Chattanooga road. The pursuit was continued
across an open field till the road was reached, when, it being dark, I
judged it prudent to halt, which met the approval of Lieutenant Gen-
eral Hill, who, close after us, immediately came up. In passing
through the fortifications a number of prisoners were captured and
sent to the rear. We also captured two pieces of artillery in the road,
which our rapid pursuit of the enemy prevented their carrying off —
one Napoleon and one James rifle. The nature of the ground, wood-
land, prevented Cobb's battery performing the important part in this
action he and his gallant company have so often done, and knew so
well how to do — though, in the afternoon, one section, under the
gallant and faithful Gracey, was placed in position under General
Forrest. I refer you to Captain Cobb's report for an account of their
behavior on that occasion.

I am not enabled to state the exact number engaged in the actions
of the 19th and 20th. But one thousand three hundred is the approx-
imate number of officers and men, including Cobb's battery. The

219

whole number of casualties were sixty-three killed and four hundred
and eight wounded.

It would afford me pleasure to designate, by name, the officers and
men who so gallantly fought on these two occasions, for, with very
few exceptions, all did their duty. But to do so would swell this
report to an inordinate size. However, I feel it to be my duty, and
take pleasure in th^ performance of it, to call attention to the con-
duct of the field officers of the different regiments. Lieutenant Colo-
nel Cofer, in command of the sixth, after I took command of the bri-
gade ; Major Clark, of the same regiment; Major Thompson, in com-
mand of the fourth, after Colonel Nuckolls was wounded ; Captain
Millett, senior captain, acting field officer, of the same regiment, and
Major Nash, in command of the seven companies of the forty -first
Alabama, all came under my observation. In each I remarked
constancy, gallantry and coolness. In the afternoon, Colonel Stan-
sell, of the forty-first, Lieutenant Colonel Wickliffe, in command of
the ninth, after Colonel Caldwell was wounded, and Captain Gillam,
acting field officer, of the same regiment, attracted my notice, and
but confirmed the good account I had of them in the morning. Cap-
tain Lee, of the second Kentucky, though too unwell to endure the
fatigue throughout the day, acted as field officer with his accustomed
bravery in the charges made by the left in the morning.

It is the highest praise I- can possibly bestow on the officers of the
brigade, to say they proved themselves, in nearly every case, worthy
of their commands.

Of the staff of Brigadier General Helm, I take pleasure in bearing
testimony in behalf of, and making special mention of, Captain
Fayette Hewitt, assistant adjutant general. As soon as he was ena-
bled to do so, he reported to me, and throughout the entire action,
after the death of General Helm, as well as previous thereto, as I
learn, he displayed coolness, gallantry and judgment.

Captain G. W. McCawley, assistant inspector general, promptly
reported to me the wounding of General Helm, as before stated, at
which time I got from him his horse, not having my own with me,
when he returned to where General Helm was wounded, and remained
with him. I am reliably informed that previous thereto he was in his
place on the left, and acted bravely and efficiently.

Captain Helm, acting Commissary subsistence, though not com-
pelled to do so, went on the field and did his duty.

Lieutenant W. Herr, aid-de-camp, and Lieutenant John Pirtle,
acting aid-de-camp, reported to me as soon as the necessary attention
to their wounded General allowed, and thereafter acted gallantly aud
faithfully.

I enclose the several reports of regimental and tho battery com-
manders, together with a list of killed and wounded.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOSEPH H. LEWIS,
Colonel commanding Helm's brigade.

REPORT OF COLONEL R. L. GIBSON, COMMANDING

BRIGADE.

Headquarters Adams' Brigade,
September 26, 1863.

Major James Wilson,

A. A. General Breckinridge's Division :

Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the part
taken by this brigade, composed of the thirteenth and twentieth Lou-
isiana volunteers, Colonel Leon Von Zeniken; sixteenth and twenty-fifth
Louisiana volunteers, Colonel D. Gober ; nineteenth Louisiana volun-
teeas, Lieutenant%!olonel R. W. Turner; thirty-second Alabama vol-
unteers, Major T. C. Kimball, and Austin's battalion Louisiana sharp-
shooters, with Slocomb's battery Washington artillery, in the battle
of Chickamauga, from the moment that I assumed command :

I was engaged in reforming my regiment when informed that Brig-
adier Gen. D. W. Adams having been disabled by a wound, the command
of the brigade devolved upon me. I at once ascertained that there was no
support on the left of the brigade, and ordered the command to form
on the rear slope of the hill upon which Captain C. H. Slocomb's
battery Washington artillery was posted. This having been accom-
plished, I left the lino in charge of Colonel Daniel Gober, sixteenth
and twenty -fifth Louisiana volunteers, and hastened to the left, where
I observed several regiments falling back. One of these I at once
moved to the support of the line on the left, and directed Captain
Labouisse, A. I. G., to bring up another, retreating through the
woods, to the same position. With Captain Slocomb's assistance, he
succeeded in placing two regiments in position. They were believed
to belong to the brigade on our left. The thirty-second Alabama vol-
unteers and Austin's battalion, which had not participated in the
charge, but had been ordered to oppose the advance of a column of
the enemy's infantry, reported on our right and rear, were called in
and directed to join the brigade on the right of the battery. It was
deer;ied best to occupy ourselves with the enemy in sight, leaving the
cavalry reports for after consideration. These dispositions had just
been made, when Major General Breckinridge reached us and approved
them.

Captain Slocomb, whose battery bad*made a noble stand, here in-
formed me that he was considerably cut up, and that he thought it
best to retire for a short time. He was ordered to retire. In less than
two hours he again reported ready for action, having equipped himself,
in nearly everything needed, from the battery taken by the brigade in
approaching, for the first time, the main Chattanooga road.

I do not think it worth while to speak of the different lines of battle
taken before again engaging the enemy. About four o'clock, by order
of Major General Breckinridge, the brigade was posted about three
hundred yards in rear of Major General Walker's command, (General

221

LiddelPs division.) The line was here subjected to some shelling, and
it became apparent that our forces in front were unsuccessful in their
attacks. About sundown General Breckinridge turned to me and
directed that I should advance, and at the same time execute a change
of direction to the left. 1 had advanced but a short distance, when I
saw, from what was occurring in front of us, that our lines in advance
were giving away under an enfilading fire from the left, and I^there-
fore gained as much ground to the left as time and circumstances
would permit. The movement forward was made slowly, carefully and
with all possible predion. We passed over several lines of troops as
we advanced, who cheered us heartily. The extreme right regiment
was detained a few moments by one of these lines, as will be seen by
referring to Colonel Gober's report. I determined, if possible, not to
fire a gun, and it is due to the officers and men of the brigade that I
should state that we passed through a line engaging the enemy with-
out halting and without firing, and continued to advance, moving in
perfect order, until within a few paces of the enemy, when a charge
was ordered and the whole command, with a terrific yell, sprang upon
him. A volley was received without effect; a second, from the barri-
cades of trees and stones, checked us for an instant; but the officers
rushed forward again, the men followed, and the enemy, panic stricken,
fled in the wildest disorder. Not a moment was to be lost; the brigade
was urged forward, its centre resting near the fence which separated
the corn-field from the woods, the left extending into the field. We
thus continued to drive the enemy from every position for three-quar-
ters of a mile, until we had entered the woods about seventy yards
from the Chattanooga road, where it was halted. Darkness was now
rapidly approaching.

I had sent Lieutenant Ware, of the staff, to the left, and he reported
to me that there were no troops on that flank; confirming the state-
ment of Colonel Von Zeniken, commanding the leftTegiment. I hail
gone myself to the right. I deemed it proper therefore to halt and
to rectify the alignment, which had become broken in the pursuit,
before advancing further. This had just been finished when Lieu-
tenant General Hill rode up and, observing that we had done well,
directed that I should throw forward skirmishers for the distance of a
mile. A few moments afterwards I was ordered by Major General
Breckinridge to bivouac near the main Chattanooga road, and I
accordingly moved back to this position. Many prisoners remained
within our lines during the charge, but no attention was paid to them;
they numbered probably three or four hundred.

The position stormed was held by a brigade of United States regulars,
under Brig. General King. The enemy's dead and wounded marked the
track of the brigade. Many hundreds of small arms were found upon
the field next morning. A battery was taken by the thirteenth an 1
twentieth Louisiana, but the gallant manner in which the remainder
of the brigade behaved entitles them to share in the credit of the
capture.

In the night our skirmishers, under Captain E. M. Dubroca, com-
pany B, thirteenth and twentieth Louisiana, sent in thirty prisoners,

222

among them several officers ; and Major T. E. Austin's battalion
brought in fifty more next day. The brigade halted victorious at
night on the. very ground whence it had recoiled at mid-day.

1 would respectfully refer the Major General commanding to the
reports of subordinate commanders for the parts their commands bore
in the battle.

Among the officers, Colonel Daniel G.ober, sixteenth and twenty-
fifth Louisiana, and Colonel Leon Von Zeniken, thirteenth and twen-
tieth Louisiana, were conspicuous for courage and skill. All the offi-
cers and men behaved with commendable gallAtry. Major C. H.
Moore, sixteenth and twenty-fifth Louisiana; Major T. C. Kimball,
thirty-second Alabama; Captain H. A. Kennedy, nineteenth Louisiana,
who commanded in the evening charge, and Captain E. M. Dubroca,
thirteenth and twentieth Louisiana, showed themselves officers well
fitted to handle troops on the field. The report of Captain C. H. Slo-
comb, Washington artillery, shows how large a share his command
bore in the engagement. I cannot speak in terms too high of the
bearing of the officers and men of this battery. The skill of the
former is only equalled by the bearing of the latter.

Our valor-inspiring chief of artillery, Major Graves, of Major
General Breckinridge's staff, fell, mortally wounded, in the arms of
Captain C. H. Slocomb. He fell, where his heroic soul desired, on the
battle-field, among those who loved him, and in the arms of a brave
comrade.

But our success was not without heavy loss. Our chivalrous com-
mander, Brigadier General D. W. Adams, was wounded in the charge
of the morning and fell into the hands of the enemy. Lieutenant
Colonel R. W. Turner, nineteenth Louisiana, was wounded, and the
brave Major Loudon Butler, of the same regiment, breathed his last
at the head of his regiment. Of General Adams' staff, I am indebted
for valuable services to John W. Labouisse, A. I. G., who was ever
prompt and efficient, and to Lieutenants E. M. Scott and G. S. Yerger
likewise for zeal and bravery. Nor should I omit to pay a special
tribute to the soldierly bearing of Lieutenant S L. Ware. He is en-
titled to much credit for his conspicuous gallantry. The gallant adju-
tant general, Captain E. P. Guillet, was already wounded. Major M.
Hanly, A. Q. M , and Major W. V. Crouch, A. C. S., have, through-
out the' campaign, discharged their duties with fidelity and promptness.

The brigade entered ftie action with one hundred and twenty officers,
and lost in killed and wounded thirty-three ; with twelve hundred en-
listed men, and lost in killed, wounded and missing three hundred and
ninety -six. It drove the enemy from two batteries which fell within
our lines, only six guns uf which, however, upon investigation, were
positively taken by officers of the command. About six hundred pris-
oners were likewise captured during the battle. It only ceased the
pursuit of the ennmy at night and under orders. One hour more of
daylight had added largely to our captures.

1 have the honor to remain, yours, very respectfully,

R. L. GIBSON,
Colonel commanding.

223

REPORT of the Effective Strength of the several Regiments composing
Adams'' Brigade, carried into the Battle of Chickamauga, on each day of
the Battle :

Name of Commander.

19tu October.

' 20th October.

i Command.

■K

E
o

_ c
~ a.

s s

255
293
317
90
127
107

o
H

loth and 20th La. reg*t.
I6lh and 25th La. reg't

Col. Loon Von Zinken...

289

Col. D. Gobcr

319

Austin's battalion

Lt. Col. It. W. Turner..

350

Major T. C. Kimball....

145

Captain C. II. Slocomb..

6
G

120

126

112

Total

120

126

125

1,189

1 314

The infantry of this brigade was not engaged in the battle of October 19th.

Respectfully submitted,

R. L. GIBSON,

Colonel commanding.

REPORT OF COLONEL J. II. KELLY, COMMANDING

BRIGADE.

Headquarters Third Brigade, Preston's Division, )
In the Field fronting Chattanooga, Sept. 25, 1863. )

Captain : I have the honor to submit the following as a report of
the operations of the brigade under my command in the battle of the
1 9th and 20th instants :

The night of the 1 8th instant I bivouacked, with three regiments of
the brigade, (the sixty-third Virginia, Major French commanding,
having been detached the day before as a guard to the division ord-
nance train,) on the right bank of the Chickamauga. At daylight, on
the morning of the 19th, I was ordered to cross the Chickamauga at
Dalton's ford, and at about eight o'clock I formed line of battle in a
corn-field, on the left of Brown's brigade, Stewart's division, and
three hundred yards in rear of Grade's brigade, the fifty-eighth North
Carolina, Colonel J. B. Palmer commanding, forming the right; the
fifth Kentucky, Colonel H. Hawkins commanding, the left, and the
sixty-fifth Georgia, Colonel Moore commanding, the centre of my
line. Here the brigade was subjected to a brisk cannonade* from Ihe
enemy's batteries. At about eleven o'clock I was ordered to move by
the right flank about four hundred yards, when I again formed line of
battle, and remained in position during the remainder of the night and
day, being occasionally shelled. At this point the sixty-third Vir-
ginia, less two companies detached as guard for division ordnance
train, reported to the command at about three o'clock, P. M.

At about seven o'clock, on the morning of the 20th instant, the
brigade was moved by the left flank about three hundred yards and
posted on an eminence, as a support to three batteries of Major Ley-
den's battalion of artillery. From this position I threw out four com-
panies of skirmishers, in charge of Lieutenant Colonel Edmund
Kirby, fifty-eighth North Carolina. He moved to the front and left,
and reported the enemy moving to the right. At one o'clock I was
ordered to leave the sixty-fifth Georgia as a support to the above-
named batteries, and move by the right flank and form line of battle
five hundred yards in rear of Gracie's brigade and conform to its
movements. While the line of battle was in process of formation, I
discovered that Gracie's brigade was moving by the right flank on the
Chattanooga road. I therefore moved by the right flank five hundred
yards to the right of that road and parallel with it. After marching
in this direction about one and a half miles, I was halted and ordered
to form line of battle to resist an attack from the front or the left
flank. This disposition was made, and I remained in position until
about half-past three o'clock, P. M. — the enemy meanwhile actively
shelling me. At this time I was ordered to move by the left flank,
and, having marched three-fourths of a mile, I was ordered to form on
the left oi" Gracie's brigade. While this was being executed I was

22i>

ZZi H , "J ° ,q,Ueu Chang° 0f direction t0 the rigkt and to
advance. I had advanced but a short distance when I was subjected

rid^Wft: f enem7.WM P°3ted °* * heavily hooded

ridge, from which he had several times repulsed other troops of our

amy. The approach to him was over a succession of hills, with

W^T\?TS81T' M? hiU t0 the front beiQg -omewhat more

he frnr't »T *? ' ?**? ?" °f, the enem* ™Ved -teadily to

the front three or four hundred yards, holding its fire until wifhin

very shon range of the enemy, the right bein/not more than fifteen

or twenty, the centre about forty, and the left about sixty yards dis-

M t tf MM Tl fireTWa9 ^W" Aft6r & ^speratefy'contested
hght of half nil hour I succeeded in gaming the hill, from which the

enemy made three unsuccessful attempts to dislodge me by assault

However, owing to the conformation of the ground, the fifty-eighth

North Carolina was exposed to a galling firo from the front and both

flanks and, after losing about half its numbers, was compelled to fall

I ionr n ''! £°T0ni °i F"*? J?0"1** Ju8t before this Wling back
Lieutenant Colonel Edmund Kirby, gallantly cheering his men, fell,
pierced by four bullets-Major Dula having been wounded early in
the engagement. At this juncture I was indebted to Brigadier Gen-
™L 1 pT 7 reinforcirae^of one regiment from his command.
Colonel Palmer the only field officer with the regiment, was here
wounded, but still continued in command. After exchanging fires

7n? \a eT?7 uf ah0Ut1an h°Ur and a half> 1 determined to attempt
to dislodged him by assault, and for this purpose transferred the fifty-
eighth North Carolina from the right to the left of my line and moved
forward swingmg somewhat to the right. When I arrived at the
base of the h.ll the enemy was heard to cry, -We surrender, we sur-
render. I immediately stepped to the front, my horse having been
previously killed, and called upon the officer who seemed tote in
command and demanded that if he proposed to surrender he should

fc£S3 h!!£TUa'. ?° °ar t0 the fr°nt and 8aid> "Writ a minute."
l replied JNo, 81r ; lay down your arms instantly, or I will firo

STJ0?" a 'ST* t0 V command> but before I could give the
command « ready," he poured upon it a terrific fire, which, ontccount
of its suddenness, threw the brigade for the instant into confusion
but it rallied and was reformed within thirty yards of this position
1 am confident that the enemy intended to surrender, and that his fire •
was drawn by an unauthorized shot from his ranks. Finding that ray
ammunitmn wa. almost exhausted, I sent to the rear for ?einforc£
ments or a ly of am ition At ^ juncture j ffiet Colo

Irigg, commanding brigade, and informed him of the position of the
enemy, asking him at the same time, to co-operate with me in his
capture. He agreed, and formed his line on my left, with the inten-
tion of swinging the who e force to the right. Just as the movem nt
wa begun, I was notified by one of his staff that the Brigadier Gen-

wh rCATa Ad,V1Tn Wi8hed t0 8ee me> and l reP™3 « once to
where he was stationed in the field. During this temporary absence
the enemy surrendered to Colonel Trigg6 Immediately after the
■urrender a force, BuppoBed to be of the enemy, opened a^eayj fire

21G

which created considerable confusion, in which a largo number of the
enemy were making off Colonel H. Hawkins. i?f the fifth Kentucky,
here captured two hundred and fortj-nine prisorfers, including two
colonels, one lieutenant colonel and a number of company offi
About this time I rejoined the command, and turned over 'to Lieu-
tenant Colonel Wad.-, of the fifty-fourth Virginia, to he taken to the
far, my prisoners, ex<;< pt the three field i

division headquarters in charge of one of my staff. The ni^ht I
far advanced, I made arrangements to replenish my supp'y of ammu-
nition, and went into bivouac on the hill which the brigade had so gal-
lantly won

It would not be proper for me to close this report without tendering
my thanks to the members of my staff and the ofliccrs commanding the
regiments for valuable assistance rendered in handling the ti
and bearing testimony to the gallant conduct of the officers and men
composing the command. It was the first time that most of them had ever
been under fire, yet they acted with the coolness and courage of veterans.
Fighting against a superior force, posted in an apparently impiv
ble position, they moved steadily forward, beat and captured the
enemy, and slept in his strong place. When all did their duty co
well, it seems almost invidious to make particular mention of any one,
yet I must be allowed to speak of the gallant conduct of Lieutenant
Colonel E. Kirby, fifty-eighth North Carolina ; Captain C. H. Lynch,
sixty-third Virginia; Lieutenant Colonel G. W. Conner, Major Wil-
liam Mynhier and Adjutant Thomas H. B. Cork, fifth Kentucky, and
especially Captain J. Desha, fifth Kentucky, who, although painfully
and severely wounded early in the action, remained at the head of his
company until the enemy was defeated.

I took into the fight an aggregate of eight hundred and fifty-two,
and lost, in killed and wounded, three hundred and three, and twenty-
six in missing.

I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. II. KELLY,
Colonel commanding brigade.

REPORT OF COLONEL R. C. TRIGG, COMMANDING

BRIGADE.

Headquarters Trk.g's Brigade,
September 26, 1863.

Captain J. L. Sandford,

Assistant Adjutant Genera! : *

Captain : I have the honor to submit the following report of the part
borne by my brigade in the battles of the Chickainauga, on the 19th
and 20th instants :

By order of Brigadier General Preston, commanding division, I
crossed the Chickamauga, at early dawn, the morning of the 19th,
and formed liue of battle near Hunt's house, on the prolongation of
Brigadier General Bate's line. Whilst occupying this position the
enemy threw shot and shell into my lines from a battery on the right.
The sixth regiment Florida volunteers (Colonel Findley) lost one
lieutenant, one sergeant and one private killed, and two privates
wounded. I promptly moved the brigade forward so as to get the
cover afforded by the opposite hills. .

About twelve o'clock, M., by direction of Brigadier General Pres-
ton, I moved my brigade by the right flank and reformed on the crest
of a ridge about half i miie north of Hunt's house. As soon as the
line was formed. I deployed the .first regiment Florida cavalry, (dis-
mounted,) Colonel Maxwell, as skirmishers, three hundred yards in.
advance, and covering the entire front of the brigade. This regiment
soon became engaged with the enemy's -infantry in a corn-field and
the woods £o the right of the field. It kept up quite a brisk fire for more
than two hours, when the right was driven in by a destructive fire of
grape and canister from a battery in the field At this time 1 was ordered
to reinforce General Hood and move in the direction of the firing. The
firing was on my right. I moved by the right flank until met by a staff
officer, who came to conduct me to the point where Gen. Hood needed
support — the position held by General Benning's brigade. At his
instance I moved by the front. Soon after I was met by another
staff officer, who claimed my support for General Robertson's brigade.
1 continued my movement by the front until I came near a corn-field,
in which the enemy had a battery, protected by earthworks, near the
Chattanooga road, and supported by a long line of infantry drawn
up in the field, and in rifle-pits and woods on the right and left of the
battery. The enemy was advancing when I first discovered him, and
had passed about one-third the length of the field. The troops that
had won the wooded rigdo outside of the field, and on my right, were
falling back in some confusion. The advance of the enemy and the
falling hack of our troops seemed to effect some change in the mind
of the officer conducting me. He requested me to halt until he could
learn precisely what position I was to take. While thus halted and

235

under the enemy's fire, General Robertson appeared and hurriedly
informing me that his line was very much weakened and would bo
beaten back unless quickly reinforced, indicated the direction in
which I should move. I obliqued to the right until I supposed that
my right was opposite to his left. This brought the front of iny
brigade to the corn-field fence. All this while I had been under a
most destructive fire of the enemy's artillery, and, at this time, he
concentrated upon me the fire of his whole force in the corn-field
and in the timber around it. I had not, as yet, fired a single gun.
I reserved my fire until I reached the fence. At the first volley the
enemy broke in confusion to the left and rear. Seeing his confusion,
I ordered my brigade to charge before he could rally. The sixth
Florida regiment gallantly responded, leaping the fence and dashing
forward to the crest of the ridge, forcing the enemy's broken line to
seek the nearest cover on the right, left and in rear. This regiment
regained the ridge, which I am informed was won and lost more than
once during the day, cleared the corn-field tf all the infantry, drove
nearly all the gunners from the battery and would have certainly
captured it but for a lamentable interference with my command.

When the order to charge was given, I was on the right with this
regiment. The orde*r was not promptly conveyed to the other regi-
ments of the brigade, and they failing to conform to the movements
of the sixth Florida, it got from one hundred and fifty to two hundred
yards in advance. Having gained the crest of the ridge, I discovered,
for the first time, that the other regiments of the brigade were not up
with the sixth Florida, I immediately started to bring them up, but
had gone but a short distance, when I perceived them crossing the
fence and moving forward in good order. I returned to direct the
movements of the sixth Florida. When these regiments had reached
the second fence, I discovered that they were being moved by Briga-
dier General Robertson across the field by the right flank and in rear
of the sixth. Finding that this regiment would not receive support
from the rest of my brigade, and it being exposed to a terrible fire
from tho front and left, (the enemy having in part recovered
from hispanic,) I withdrew it below the crest of the ridge, and
unwillingly relinquished tho capture of the battery, which a few
minutes before 1 had regarded as almost accomplished-. For such
was the disposition of my brigade that when the charge was ordered,
two regiments and half of another on my left overlapped the enemy's
battery and supports, and, when withdrawn from the field, they were
moving rapidly to turn his right Hank. Night put an end to the
conflict.

On the morning of the 20th, I formed my brigade four hundred
yards in the rear of Manigault's brigade, Hindman's division, and was
ordered to support him and conform to his movements. About twelve
o'clock, M., General Manigault moved forward in the direction of
the Chattanooga road. I followed. When in four hundred yards of
the road, I came up with his artillery, which had halted, and met a
good many stragglers from his brigade. I rode forward to the road
sad found some confusion in the brigade. I informed an officer of

229

General Manigault's staff that I was there to support him and ready
to render the support at any moment.
* About this time I learned from an officer of General Hindman'a
staff, that the left of Hiridman's division was threatened and would
bo turned unless quickly supported, (the left of that division having
been supported up to that tune by Manigault's brigade.) 1 moved
my brigade to the Chattanooga road in double-quick time, passing
General Manigault's brigade and taking the front. The position of
the enemy being indicated to me, \ disposed of the troops of my
command with a view to offensive movements, and ordered the bat-
tery assigned me (Captain Teeples, ninth Georgia battalion) to take
position and open fire upon the enemy. The enemy failing to
respond, after several rounds, and it being evident that he had with-
drawn from that part of the field, I ordered the firing to cease and
proposed to advance, when I received orders from General Buckner
to move down the Chattanooga road and support Williams' battalion
of artillery.

Having remained in support of this artillery until half-past two
o'clock, P. M., I was ordered by General Buckner to move back on
the Chattanooga road, with two of my regiments and one piece of
artillery, and select a favorable position to resist tho enemy's cavalry,
which, it was understood, had passed to our rear and was moving on
that road. Whilst engaged in the discharge of this duty, with tho
first Florida (dismounted) cavalry and seventh regiment Florida vol-
unteers (Colonel Bullock) and one piece of artillery, an order from
General Buckner directed me to withdraw one regiment and rejoin
the division. I withdrew the seventh Florida, but had hardly put it
in motion when I received from General Preston a pressing order to
move rapidly to tho support of the other brigades of his division,
(Grade's and Kelly's.)

The cavalry whose movements I had been sent to oppose having
proved to be our own, I took tho responsibility of ordering the other
regiment and the piece of artillery to follow, and communicated the
facts to General Buckner as I passed along. The sixth Florida and
fifty-fourth Virginia regiments had been already put in motion by
Colonel Findley, senior colonel. Tho battle was raging furiously
when I arrived with the seventh Florida' regiment, which I formed on
' tho left of the fifty-fourth Virginia, which, with the sixth Florida
regiment, was already formed en the left of Kelly's brigado [The
first Florida (dismounted) regiment, on the way to join the brigade,
was detached by order of General Preston and sent to the support of
General .Grade's brigade] Without wavering or faltering, these two
brigades — marching over some of our own troops, who were lying
down — drove the enemy steadily before them, until his right was
forced from its strong position, on rough, broken ground, heavily
timbered. Driven fr,om this position, he fell back upon a second lino
of ridges, running perpendicular to the Chattanooga road, which was
already held by a strong forco and protected by breastworks. When
near the base of this ridge, I learned fft>m Colonel Kelly the precise
locality of the enemy, and immediately determined, with him, to

23U

attempt the capture of that part of hi-i force in my front, mj position
Im h)g particularly fivoratole fo.r the attainment of this end. I imme-
diately wheeled my brigade to the right, which brought me in rear o£,
the enemy, and moved rapidly up the hill to within twenty paces or
his lines. This movement surprised him and resulted in the capture
of the twenty-second Michigan, the eighty-ninth Ohio, and part of
the twenty-first Ohio regiments, five stands of colors, and over one
thousand five hundred small arm9, of the latest and most approved
pattern.

Darkness having fallen, and the enemy having withdrawn from his
position on my left, no further movement was attempted.

Before beginning the movement last alluded to, I requested two
brigades, which were in ray rear, to form on my left and co-operate
with me. They declined, for the want of ammunition. It is greatly
to be regretted that they were not in a condition to give m^ assist-
ance. Had they formed on my left, our line would have extended
nearly, if not quite, to the Chattanooga road, and, being in rear of
the enemy, all his forces occupying the ridge would have been com-
pletely cut off.

Where every officer and man did his whole duty, special mention
cannot be made.

The fortune of war threw the sixth Florida regiment into the post
of danger, and upon them fell the heaviest loss, and proved them
" veterans in their first fight." Their commanding officer is proud to
render to them this just tribute of praise, and he is also proud to
express his conviction that each other regiment of his brigade is
worthy of, and, had circumstances allowed, would have won equal
commendation. It is simple justice to my command to say that it
beat the enemy everywhere it found him, and carried every position
which it assaulted. •

I take pleasure in mentioning the following named soldiers, who
distinguished themselves by the capture, each, of a stand of the
enemy's colors :

geant L. E. Timmons, company I, seventh regiment Florida
volunteers, captured the regimental flag of the twenty first Ohio
regiment.

Private Oscar V. Honaker, company F, fifty-fourth Virginia regi-
ment, captured the regimental flag of the twenty-second Michigan
regiment.

Private W. F. Harris, company F, fifty-fourth Virginia regiment,
captured the State flag of the twenty-second Michigan regiment.

Private Henderson Ilylton, company A, fifty-tour nia regi-

ment, captured the regimental flag of the eighty-ninth Ohio regiment.

Private Franklin Carter, company K, fifty-fourth Virginia regi-
ment, captured th? State flag of the twenty-first Ohio regiment.

In this connection, I deem it proper to state that private J. II. M.

»ley, Captain Hays' company, sixth regiment Florida volunteers,

captured a stand of colors, and, while guarding prisoners to the rear,

he passed a small party of m^n, who claimed them. Being unable to

distinguish these men in the dark, and supposing them to be a squad

231

detailed by me to receive tae captured co^rs, he gave them up.
Tfa have not been heard of since. I have no doubt of the

|puth of private Moseley's statement. It is corroborated by other
evidence. These colors were doubtless turned over tome.', of another
command, and sent in to headquarters as captured by them.

d id is a statement of the killed, wounded aud missing of my
de.
I am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ROBERT C. TRIG
iJeluna' commanding Brigade, Prtstons Division, Buckner's Corp*.

RErORT OF CAPTAIN* CHARLES SWBTT, ACTING CHIEF

OF ARTILLERY.

Artillery Encampment, Liddell's Brigade, )

October ?th, 1SG3. J
Captain S. A. Williams,

Assistant Adjutant General.

Captain : I have the honor to to make the following report of the
fiction of the artillery of Liddell's division in the battle of Chicka-
manga on the 19th ami 2<ith of September, and also in the affair of the
18th ultimo :

On the morning of the l?th September, orders wcro received to be
in readiness for an early movement, and. at three P. M., Liddell's
division left Lafayette and moved toward the enemy in the direction
of Chattanooga.

At nine o'clock, on the morfHng of the 18th, the command reached
a point <m Chick am&aga creek, near Alexander's bridgo ; but finding
it in possession of the enemy, line of battle was formed, and an
advance made, in order to dislodge them. The enemy had but one
battery which was posted near a house on the opposite bank of the
creek, and which fired upon our skirmishers, a few shots passing over
the line. Fowler's battery was moved to the front and placed in posi-
tion near the road, and on the edge of a cultivated field, from which
place a section of his guns were ordered some three hundred yards
further to the front by General Liddell, but do not think he fired from
the place designated. The battery under command of Lieutenant
Shannon -was ordered to the right of Walthall's brigade, to a position
commanding the one occupied by the Federal battery. After "firing a
few rounds the enemy disappeared, as our fire was not returned, nor
were they again seen at this place. The fire of our battery was
ordered to cease, and the command moved forward, crossing the Chick-
amauga at Byron's ford, and camping for the night one mile from
that stream.

On the morning of the 19th, the command moved at an early hour
and formed line of battle a mile distant from our camp of the pre-
vious night, and advanced to the support of Ector's brigade, which
was then engaging the enemy. The Washington light artillery fol-
lowed Liddell's brigade, and a portion of Fowler's battery following
Walthall's, though neither battery could be brought into action, in
consequence of the rapid advance of the command and of the char-
acter of the ground over which we were moving. At this place a
flank movement of the enemy caused the division to fall back, though
Lieutenant Shannon succeeded in firing a few rounds on retiring, in
order to check the enemy ; but Fowler's battery could not be brought
into action, (though it was twice halted by myself for that purpose,)
as the enemy would have surrounded and captured the guns had thoy
been unlimbered. From this position the division moved to the right
near a mile distant, and formed line perpendicular to the formation of

the morning. From this point the command advanced with the Wash-
ington light artillery, on the right of Liddell's brigade, it being the in-
tention to have Fowler's battery follow on the left of Walthall. As the
division moved, a Parrott battery opened upon our line, but a few
well-directed shots from Fowler's battery either caused it to change
position or to retire, as it did not again open. The division advanced
but a few hundred yards, when it retired to the base of an inclination
that it had nearly gained the summit of, which movement was, in
a measure, owing to a battery firing over our line from the
rear, and which was connected with Forrest's command. Before the
division retired, I moved to the front and left, to secure a position
for Fowler's battery, and, while gone, Captain F. permitted one of
his lieutenants to move with the brigade to which he is attached, with
the section under his command, which resulted in the loss of*one Napo-
leon gun and fourteen horses, though the gun was subsequently re-
taken. The Washington light artillery was taken at dusk to a position
in rear and to the right of Cleburne's division, where for about half
an hour we shelled the enemy's rear. A caisson and three limbers
were taken from the field on the return of the battery to our line,
and a James rifle gun and limber was hauled to the company by hand
and turned over to Lieutenant Shannon, by members of the bri-
gade. The division remained in this position till the following
morning, when it was moved by the loft flank about one mile, and
afterwards two miles to the right, to a position in rear and to the right
Gen. of Breckinridge, who was then engaging the enemy. The divis-
ion remained here till ten, A. M , when it was ordered forward t.o
the support of General Breckinridge. On reaching the rear of Gen-
eral Breckinridge's command, it was found to be falling back, though
repeatedly rallied and renewed the contest. The artillery was ordered
into position in rear of the line, on the left of the road, and fronting
the west, which position we were ordered to defend ; but did not find
it necessary to fire. Fowler's* battery was here moved forward and
an effort made to gain a position on the right of our line, which could
not be done in consequence of the infantry continually giving way.
We remained here till half-past fourJfc\ M., when we move! against
the enemy, the artillery following by the road, and ascending a hill
and taking position in an orchard near McDonald's house, and on the
right of the division, we succeeded in getting seven guns in posi-
tion and engaged a Parrott battery of the enemy, distant about eight
hundred yards, but had no sooner opened than we were fired upon by
a masked battery, two hundred yards from our right (1 ink, and by one
one thousand yards from and southwest of us, and by another on the
left Hank of Liddell's brigade. The effect of our fire was very
destructive to the enemy, but we were forced to leave the ground, as
the advance of a line of the enemy at a di uble-quick on the left flank
of Liddell's brigade, together with the artillery fire made the posi-
tion untenable. The order was given to the artillery not to retire till
the last moment, nor until the infantry had fallen back. The artil-
lery reached the base of the hill, when, being flanked by the Federals
and ^a horse shot down in a gun of both Fowler's battery and the
16

234

Washington light artillery company, Lieutenant Shannon called
upon Captain Fletcher, of the thirteenth Arkansas, who rallied a few
men and secured both pieces, which were soon afterwards taken to the
rear.

On the morning of the 2 1 st, a gun was ordered by Gen. Liddell to the
position occupied by us on the previous evening, and soon afterwards
both Fowler's battery and the Washington light artillery were ordered
to the eame place. It soon being discovered we had no enemy in our
front, the command moved on the Lafayette and Chattanooga road in
the direction of the latter place. A report of the casualties in the
artillery of the division has been forwarded.
Respectfully submitted,

CHARLES SWETT,
Captain and Acting Cnipf of Artillery, IAddeWs Division.

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Full text of "Official report of the Battle of Chickamauga"

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